Niyonshuti Rides His First Race in Europe

Adrien Niyonshuti (RWA, MTN Energade) is about to ride his first race in Europe – alongside Lance Armstrong. The remarkable rider is 22 and a climbing specialist. He has an amazing story of defying the odds in both his life and cycling career and now competes against some of the world’s best cyclists in the Tour of Ireland - 21st to 23rd August.

Six of his brothers were killed in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In August 2008, Adrien won six stages and the overall title at the Tour of Rwanda. His coach at Team Rwanda, the American ex-rider Jock Boyer, sent Adrien and another Team Rwanda rider, Nathan Byukusenge, to a two-month training camp at the UCI African Continental Cycling Centre in Potchefstroom, South Africa. There, Douglas Ryder of the South African team MTN-Energade offered both men pro contracts. A violent robbery in South Africa led Nathan to return home to Rwanda but Adrien, who hid in a closet during the robbery, persisted and is about the ride his first race in Europe - alongside seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

More details about Niyonshuti and the MTN Energade Team from South Africa can be found at http://www.mtncycling.co.za/