The Belgian cycling federation (KBWB) have announced details of a cooperation agreement they have signed with the cycling federation of Rwanda which both sides hope to benefit from.
The agreement will see Rwanda sending a number of riders to Belgium “to learn the trade in the ultimate cycling country par excellence”, according to the president of the Rwandan cycling federation Aimable Bayingana. “The expertise of our Belgian colleagues will allow our riders to take a big step forward in their development.”
The Rwandan riders will be provided with accommodation and logistical support when they travel to Belgium during the summer to race. In addition, Rwandan support staff will be able to benefit from the expertise of their Belgian colleagues.
In return, a number of young talented Belgian riders will be able to utilise the training facilities which the well-known Africa Rising Cycling Centre in Rwanda offers them and they will be able to take advantage of the opportunity for altitude training.
Tom Van Damme, president of the KBWB feels that the agreement is the perfect way to give cycling in Rwanda a boost. “Rwanda is undoubtedly one of the strongest African cycling countries”, says Van Damme. “Both the men and women in Rwanda are strong athletes, riders who are ambitious and combative.”
“The good relations between Rwanda and Belgium were the reason the KBWB to help FERWACY (Fédération Rwandaise the Cyclisme) with the formation of their athletes and their framework.”
mighty stuff, but looking at the African climbers, the Belgian kermess scene will be like Mons in 1915