The Tour du Rwanda 2026 concluded in emphatic fashion, cementing its status as one of Africa’s most prestigious cycling competitions. Germany’s Moritz Kretschy emerged as the overall winner, while Eritrea’s Henok Mulubrhan powered to victory in the final stage.
Kretschy secured the general classification after completing the 997.8-kilometre race in a cumulative time of 23 hours, 8 minutes and 48 seconds. Although the 23-year-old did not claim an individual stage win, his triumph was built on tactical intelligence, consistency, and strong team support from the NSN Development Team. His calculated riding earned him a decisive two-minute advantage over fellow German Johannes Adamietz, who finished second overall.
“We really deserved it because we were actually the strongest team,” Kretschy said after the race. “At the end it was a team effort, and we showed we were the strongest by holding the yellow jersey.”
The final stage saw Henok Mulubrhan deliver a strong performance to claim the day’s honours, while NSN Development Team controlled the peloton effectively to protect Kretschy’s overall lead and ensure there were no late surprises.
Rwanda’s Samuel Niyonkuru finished 16th overall, making him the highest-placed local rider and underlining the growing competitiveness of homegrown talent in the event.
Kretschy had taken control of the race after claiming the yellow jersey following stage four in Rubavu and defended it with composure through to the final finish. His victory highlights the increasing international stature of the Tour du Rwanda, which continues to attract elite riders and teams from across the globe while serving as a vital platform for African cycling talent.
