Two riders from Rwanda it to Germany and will have the opportunity to show their talent from this season on highest professional level. But the real meaning of step is just becoming clear at the second view.
To understand the whole picture it is necessary to first take a look at the background and history of the country where the two riders are coming from. The one – Jean Bosco Nsengimana – has just won one of the hardest race in Africa, the 2015 Tour of Rwanda, in a very confident way and showed up his potential as a man for the overall in stage races. The other – Janvier Hadi – just qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and won the All African Games road race.
But it is a long way both of the guys have come. It was just in 1994 – the two were just born – when the most difficult era in the history of Rwanda broke out. The Genocide – when more or less 80 percent of the “Tutsi” – tribe has been murdered. Almost 1 million people. And of course the people of the country are marked by this historical incident but nowadays a new generation recovers more and more from that and redefines the country and society.
“Joining Bike Aid is a dream come true and a very big achievement in my cycling career. Every rider wants to go professional. It is also an inspiration to other riders to work harder and become professional” Jean – Bosco Nsengimana happily expresses his feelings.
From ashes they made up their way to fulfil their lifetime dream. To ride as a professional in Europe! BIKE AID is more than proud to help these two young guys to fulfil their dreams. We are happy to be a part of their way now and will do our utmost to turn their dream to an unforgettable history.
See the history behind that way by following this link
Another new rider comes from a country, we already have gained much experience now. Meron Teshome from Eritrea joins the Stradalli – BIKE AID team from development squad of former MTN – Qhubeka team. Meron is a very promising sprint – talent who has been national Champion of Eritrea in 2013.
He will be accompagnied by the young Eritrean Amanuel Mengis Ghebreindrias. “Amanuel is one of the biggest climbing talents we have ever seen from Eritrea. He is on the same level than Merhawi Kudus and has ability to ride constant during a stage race”, says Yves Beau, Sporting director at Stradalli – BIKE AID.
Meron Amanuel, also from Eritrea and Richard Laizer from Tanzania will stay part of the team in 2016 as well. In total there are now 6 riders from Africa in the roster of Stradalli – BIKE AID. “With a lot of effort, power and thanks to the support of our sponsors and partners we were able to achieve this important step – to enlarge and concretise our concept of BIKE AID: developing African riders in combination with education programs”, Eric Haus (founder and CEO of BIKE AID) said.
The African riders 2016:
- Jean-Bosco Nsengimana (Rwanda)
- Janvier Hadi (Rwanda)
- Meron Teshome (Eritrea)
- Amanuel Mengis (Eritrea)
- Meron Amanuel (Eritrea)
- Richard Laizer (Tanzania)
