Stage details for Rwandan Epic 2022 released
Thu 18th Nov, 2021 @ 9:30 pm
Rwandan Epic, the first international MTB stage race in Rwanda, the cycling crazy country in East Africa, has just released its stage details. With four stages with very different typologies, it promises to reward the most versatile riders in the bunch.
With a start on March 10, the race profiles itself as the perfect season opener, at high altitude and great weather condition, fitting in nicely before the big races in Europe and South Africa. It aims at bringing a challenging and beautiful course fit for every level of rider. With a bunch of Cape Epic veterans and Tokyo Olympic riders already guaranteed to line up at the starting lines, combined with some of the freshest local talent and most adventurous amateurs, there is no doubt the Rwandan Epic 2022 will be an absolutely amazing experience.
STAGE OVERVIEW
1. Prologue, 11.5km 477m+
The starting stage will take the form of a prologue on Mount Kigali, the highest peak around the capital city. Taking place on the edge of this city, the stage will bounce from scenic forest roads to the narrow alleys of the bustling Nyamirambo neighbourhood. Just 11.5 km length yet almost 500 meters of climbing, this won’t be a laid-back start!
2. Twin Lakes, 74km 2639m+
The race migrates to the highlands in the North of the countries for the subsequent stages, with stage 2 as a true Marathon type stage over some technical singletrack and rock gardens as well as fast rolling gravel, with near permanent panoramic view over the Twin Lakes that characterize this part of the country. The region is one of the strongholds of cycling in Rwanda, the training grounds of the national team and many of local the talents of the past and the future, crowds will most definitely line up in very big numbers.
3. Gorillas’ Playground, 35km 957m+
Even though it’s just 10km north from the start of stage 2, riders will suddenly see a very different type of terrain for the third one. Kinigi is the volcanic area on the edge of the Virunga national park, home of the famous mountain gorillas, and paved with the typical volcanic rocks that allow for a very unique type of course. This stage is structured more in an XCO fashion, three laps of 11.6 km each with plenty of steep climbs and technical downhills make this a very explosive stage, which doesn’t allow for a single second of rest. The views over the majestic volcanoes of the area will definitely make up for all the suffering, or at least some of it.
4. Gishwati to Kivu, 71km 2239m+
Rewards don’t come easy in this race, and with that in mind the road down to the Kivu Lake (at 1400m elevation the lowest point of the race) first climbs up to nearly 3000 meter in the Gishwati region. This might however be one of the faster stages of the race, finishing 900 meters lower than the start, and starting over some very smooth double track. The real challenge is near the end though, with some amazing technical downhills, bringing riders straight to the beach party at the finish line.
STAGE PROFILES
EVENT INFO
For 2022, the Rwandan Epic drops its training wheels, and goes for a full out, 4 stage race in teams of 2. There will be male, female and mixed categories and special classification for East African teams.
They aim to provide opportunities to as many of the East African talent as we can, and each entry to the race will sponsor 15% of an East African spot.
Dates: March 10 to 13 2022
Stages: 4 (1 prologue style, 2 XCM style, 1 XCO style)
Slots: 60 teams max
Cost: from 1200 EUR including 4 nights accommodation in hotels (see below)
Prize Purse: 7.000 USD
Categories: Female Teams, Male Teams, Mixed Teams
