Eritrean Tesfazion surprises in Rwanda, Israel Start Up Nation loses some ground in stage 4

– Race explodes early after fast start.
– Lahav(!) and Ovett strong in breakaway.
– DS Marie satisfied with team performance

Tour Rwanda 2020
Left to right: Omer Lahav & Freddy Owet

In the super hard fourth stage in Rwanda, 206 km with 4200+ meters of altitude, Israeli talent Omer Lahav (surprisingly) joined the breakaway of the day together with Freddy Ovett.

The nineteen in front got a 11 minute advantage, but after the big teams started pulling in the pack, the gap radically decreased.

When Patrick and Awet attacked on the preultimate climb, all that was left of the pack were around fifteen riders, chasing the leftovers of the break.

On the last climb, Schelling and Awet were working together, the gap decreased to two minutes, but an Eritrean rider from the break pulled a trick out of his helmet, increasing his lead solo to more than 6 minutes. Also Ovett coming down to help the leader of ISN did not influence the advantage of Tesfazion. Class.

Schelling finished 12th, Awet 28th. The impressive Ovett was just behind the Swiss and Eritrean. Lahav, stronger than ever, finished the stage.

Awet Gebremedhin
Awet Gebremedhin

Director Sportive Lionel Marie was content with the race results. “Our Continental riders, Awet, Ovett and Lahav, were strong today. I was surprised Lahav joined the break and I am proud how Awet and Ovett worked for Schelling.”

“In the end, it is really hard to control the break here in Rwanda. The riders might a bit disappointed after today, but I am satisfied with what I saw.”

 

 

Our main riders in the GC:
9th, Patrick Schelling, +4.56
11th, Awet Gebremedhin, +5.23

Tomorrow: a short but tough stage with plenty of elevation.

Tour Rwanda 2020

Medical update about Edwin Ávila:

Edwin Ávila crashed out of the Tour de Rwanda with 250 meters to the finish line in stage 2. Ávila has broken teeth but did not fracture anything else.

Ávila will stay in the hospital tonight and will move to the hospital of Kigali tomorrow. The Colombian will travel back to Barcelona in the next few days.

We will miss his smile in Rwanda, a smile which he regularly used to laugh with the locals, as you can also see in today’s stage video