Rwandan cyclist Masengesho Vainqueur delivered a standout performance to finish second overall at the Tour d’Algérie Cycliste 2026, ending the race just 19 seconds behind Indonesia’s Dimas Nur Fadhil Rizqi of Jakarta Pro Cycling Team.
The 10-day race, part of the UCI Africa Tour calendar, concluded on Sunday after covering nearly 1,700 kilometers across Algeria, with stages passing through Oran, Tlemcen, Sidi Bel Abbès and Chlef, before finishing in the mountainous Kabylie region.
The competition attracted riders from more than 25 countries, underscoring its status as one of Africa’s premier cycling events.
Rizqi secured the overall victory, with Masengesho finishing second and Ukraine’s Anatolii Budiak of Madar Pro Cycling taking third place, 21 seconds off the lead.
Masengesho maintained a strong and consistent performance throughout the race. He placed fourth in stage two, finished second in stage eight, and came third in stage nine, narrowing the gap with the leader.
In the final 107-kilometer stage from Algiers to Tizi Ouzou, he again finished second, cementing his position as the top-performing African rider in the race.
His performance marks a significant achievement for Rwanda, reinforcing the country’s growing presence in international cycling and recalling Joseph Areruya’s strong showing in the 2016 edition.
