Under dark storm clouds in Kigali, Jean Bosco Nsengimana of the national Rwandan Team repeated his 2015 prologue victory to take the first yellow leader's jersey of the race. The 2015 overall champion covered the 3.3km course around the Amaroo Stadium in 3:46, three seconds faster than defending champion Valens Ndayisenga.
"I am feeling very good and I am really happy to win today," Nsengimana said while swamped by the Rwanda press pack. "I worked very hard to win. The tour is starting tomorrow for me."
Nsengimana was the fourth last rider to leave the start house knowing that he would need to go under the 3:52 time of Stefan De Bod (Dimension Data for Qhubeka) to take the win. The 24-year-old proved worthy of the challenge and slotted into the hot seat. Of the remaining riders, the final starter in Ndayisenga was arguably his most dangerous rival. Last year's podium finisher Tesfom Okubamariam (Eritrea National Team) and Baby Giro stage winner Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data for Qhubeka) were the other late starters.
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Okubamariam missed the top-ten while Areruya slotted in fourth. The top-five was rounded out by Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi (Bike Aid).
With Nsengimana facing a nervous few minutes in the hot seat, the crowd enthusiastically chanted ‘Bosco, Bosco' to help calm the 2015 champion as he waited for his friend and rival to appear. As Ndayisenga approached the line, the ‘Bosco, Bosco' chant raised a level as it became clear he would be holding on for the win.
Ndayisenga now has three career second-place finishes in the prologue but with the race’s seven road stages suited to his characteristics, the 23-year-old on Tirol remains confident his bid for a third win is well on track.
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