KIGALI, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Team South Africa rider Joseph Areruya won the road cycling race Tour de Rwanda 2017 on Sunday after displaying an outstanding performance in the last eight days of one of the most challenging cycling races in Africa.
Areruya, a Rwandan national riding for South African team Dimension Data Qhubeka, claimed his first Tour de Rwanda title with 40 points in a time of 20:21.29 seconds covering a total distance of 819 kilometers.
Eritrean national Eyob Metkel for the South African team Dimension Data Qhubeka emerged in second, garnering 30 points from 20:28.00.
The South African team dominated the overall race, winning three of the eight stages and scooped the best team title.
"I feel so privileged to win this race. It was the most diffuclt cycling competition I have ever competed for. I am so excited to be going for this kind of record," Areruya told Xinhua after being announced as the winner of the Tour du Rwanda 2017.
Eyob Metkel and Joseph Areruya had an impressive collaboration that lasted throughout the race.
Tour de Rwanda defending champion Valens Ndayisenga managed to win the final stage in the Rwandan capital of Kigali.
2017 is the second consecutive year for the Tour to reach all of the four provinces of the country and its capital Kigali.
This year's edition drew a total of 75 cyclists grouped in 15 teams from across the world.
