Fabien Doubey of TotalEnergies credits his Tour du Rwanda 2025 victory to his team. The final stage was canceled due to inclement weather, and results were determined from Stage 6. Doubey, excited about his first win, will now focus on the upcoming UCI Road World Championship in September. Rwandan officials acknowledged strong performances by local riders despite weather-related disruptions.
Fabien Doubey of TotalEnergies has praised his teammates following his victory at the Tour du Rwanda 2025, emphasizing that their support was crucial for his success in Kigali. The results from Stage 6, held on March 1 between Nyanza and Canal Olympia (Rebero), secured Doubey’s win as announced by the main sponsor, Amstel. The final stage was canceled due to severe weather conditions, which affected the competition’s conclusion. “Our team did a great job. It wasn’t easy to ride through this country’s weather conditions for us, but as a team, we persevered,” said Doubey after the win at the Kigali Convention Center.
Doubey and his team protested the final stage’s conditions, arguing against racing due to bad weather. Their stance was contentious, particularly with rival teams like Eritrea, where Henok Mulubrhan was just 6 seconds behind Doubey before the cancellation. The heavy rain began around 11:30 AM, leading to the decision to halt the race after the first lap of the shortened circuit was too treacherous for competition.
Initially, the 72km stage included a larger route but was altered because of the rain, creating a smaller, four-lap circuit. The UCI officials noted that the initial rain did not warrant cancellation, but conditions deteriorated significantly as the race progressed, proving too risky to continue. UCI regulations allowed the race director to terminate the race due to exceptional conditions, leading to the results being based on Stage 6 classifications.
Doubey expressed his excitement about winning his first Tour du Rwanda, now focusing on the upcoming UCI Road World Championship scheduled for September in Kigali. “I’m going to prepare for the world championship, so let’s see what’s next in September,” he stated. Vainqueur Masengesho from Team Rwanda finished seventh, while other local riders were also recognized for their performances during the tour.
Rwandan Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire remarked on the successful organization of the Tour du Rwanda despite weather interruptions. She noted that the event demonstrated Rwanda’s capability to host international competitions, emphasizing the preparation for the UCI World Championships. Mukazayire highlighted the commendable performance of Rwandan cyclists, reinforcing the potential for continued cycling development in the country.
In summary, Fabien Doubey’s victory at the Tour du Rwanda 2025 was a testament to his team’s effort and strategic handling of challenging weather conditions. The cancellation of the final stage due to bad weather affirmed the decision made by race officials, solidifying the results based on earlier classifications. Looking ahead, the focus now shifts to the UCI Road World Championship with optimism for future competitions in Rwanda, as reiterated by the Minister of Sports.
Original Source: www.newtimes.co.rw
