KIGALI, March 2 (Xinhua) -- German cyclist Moritz Kretschy won the 2026 Tour du Rwanda after a strong performance in the eight-stage race that concluded in Kigali on Sunday.

Riding for NSN Development Team, Kretschy secured overall victory in a total time of 23 hours, 8 minutes and 48 seconds.

Fellow German Johannes Adamietz finished second in 23:10:56, while Belgium's Duarte Marivoet took third in 23:11:20.

Speaking after his victory, Kretschy said the result reflected the team's work.

"It means quite a lot to us. You always want to win races as a team, and in the end, we made it. It was for sure a team effort, not individual," he said.

Reflecting on the final stage, Kretschy said it had been one of the toughest days of the race. He said the team focused on protecting the yellow jersey, controlling the peloton and still trying to challenge for the stage win.

Kretschy launched a late attack but said fatigue caught up with him in the closing kilometers. He then concentrated on staying with the main group to avoid losing time and successfully defended his overall lead.

The 2026 Tour du Rwanda ran from February 22 to March 1 and covered 978 kilometers across Rwanda's terrain, with 18 teams taking part.

The race included two circuit stages, in Rubavu and Kigali, and organizers also introduced a Youth Racing Cup for riders aged 12 to 19, held on a 1.4-kilometer circuit.

Recognized by the UCI as a 2.1-category event, the Tour du Rwanda remains the only race of its level on the African continent.

Launched in 1988 as an amateur event, it has grown into one of Africa's leading cycling competitions, known for demanding mountain stages across Rwanda's "Land of a Thousand Hills." ■