Adrien Niyonshuti
Encyclopedia
Adrien Niyonshuti, born in Eastern Province, Rwanda
on January 2, 1987, is a professional bicycle racer for South Africa
n UCI Continental team MTN Energade
. Although he survived, six of Niyonshuti's brothers were killed in the Rwandan Genocide
of 1994. Niyonshuti began riding a bicycle given to him by his uncle as a teenager, when he came to the attention of former professional cyclist Jonathan Boyer
in 2006 during the first Wooden Bike Classic. After riding for the Rwanda national cycling team, Niyonshuti secured a professional contract with Team MTN Energade, beginning in the 2009 professional season.
, Boyer was working in Rwanda on a project to import cargo bicycles for coffee farmers. Boyer also assumed the role of coach for the Rwandan national cycling team, and recruited Niyonshuti to race. Niyonshuti had good initial results in local races such as the Tour of Rwanda, in which he finished in the top ten five years in a row and won in 2006 and 2008.
In 2008, Niyonshuti attended the Africa Continental Centre Training Camp in South Africa, where he was offered a contract by Douglas Ryder, the directeur sportif
of UCI Continental Team MTN Energade. He started his first UCI European road race in August, 2009 with his participation in the 2009 Tour of Ireland
, becoming the first Rwandan cyclist to ride in the European professional peloton
. Niyonshuti qualified to represent Rwanda in the cross-country mountain bike race during the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2010
2011
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
on January 2, 1987, is a professional bicycle racer for South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n UCI Continental team MTN Energade
MTN Energade
MTN Qhubeka is a continental cycling team based in South Africa that participates in UCI Continental Circuits races. The team was founded in 2007, becoming a Continental Team in 2008.- Major Results :2008...
. Although he survived, six of Niyonshuti's brothers were killed in the Rwandan Genocide
Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people in the small East African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of approximately 100 days through mid-July, over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate...
of 1994. Niyonshuti began riding a bicycle given to him by his uncle as a teenager, when he came to the attention of former professional cyclist Jonathan Boyer
Jacques Boyer
Jonathan "Jacques" or "Jock" Boyer was a professional bicycle racer who, in 1981, was the first American to participate in the Tour de France. Boyer grew up in Monterey, California and was a member of the Velo Club Monterey there....
in 2006 during the first Wooden Bike Classic. After riding for the Rwanda national cycling team, Niyonshuti secured a professional contract with Team MTN Energade, beginning in the 2009 professional season.
Career
Niyonshuti began amateur cycling at the age of 16 in his native Rwanda. In 2006, he came to the attention of a former professional cyclist, Jonathan Boyer. The first American cyclist to compete in the Tour de FranceTour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, Boyer was working in Rwanda on a project to import cargo bicycles for coffee farmers. Boyer also assumed the role of coach for the Rwandan national cycling team, and recruited Niyonshuti to race. Niyonshuti had good initial results in local races such as the Tour of Rwanda, in which he finished in the top ten five years in a row and won in 2006 and 2008.
In 2008, Niyonshuti attended the Africa Continental Centre Training Camp in South Africa, where he was offered a contract by Douglas Ryder, the directeur sportif
Directeur sportif
A directeur sportif is a person directing a cycling team during a road bicycle racing event...
of UCI Continental Team MTN Energade. He started his first UCI European road race in August, 2009 with his participation in the 2009 Tour of Ireland
2009 Tour of Ireland
The 2009 Tour of Ireland was the 35th running of the Tour of Ireland stage race. The event was held from 21–23 August. It consisted of three stages, and was rated as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour.-Participating teams:...
, becoming the first Rwandan cyclist to ride in the European professional peloton
Peloton
The peloton , field, bunch or pack is the large main group of riders in a road bicycle race. Riders in a group save energy by riding close near other riders...
. Niyonshuti qualified to represent Rwanda in the cross-country mountain bike race during the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
Major achievements
2004- 6th, Tour of Rwanda
2005
- 7th, Tour of Rwanda
2006
- 1st, Tour of Rwanda
2007
- 4th, Tour of Rwanda
2008
- 18th, ABSAAbsa Group LimitedThe Absa Group Limited is the largest consumer bank in South Africa.- Overview :Absa is based in Johannesburg and listed on the JSE Limited and is one of South Africa's largest financial institutions...
Cape Epic - 7th, Telkom Satellite Mountain Bike Challenge
- 1st, Tour of Rwanda
2010
National Road Race Champion
2011
- National Road Race Champion
- 1st, Tour de Kigali