Rusizi, February 24, 2026
The Netherlands’ Jurgen Zomermaand claimed a brilliant Stage 3 victory at the Tour du Rwanda 2026 on Tuesday, winning the 145.3km stage from Huye to Rusizi ahead of Belgium’s Lucas Van Gils and compatriot Matteo Vanhuffel Office Holidays in what was a hard fought finish in the western province.
Zomermaand, who rides for Development Team Picnic PostNL, timed his effort perfectly to emerge victorious after a demanding stage that took the peloton through Rwanda’s challenging terrain before descending towards the shores of Lake Kivu in Rusizi.
The Belgian pair of Van Gils and Vanhuffel, both riding for Lotto Groupe Wanty, completed a strong team showing in second and third respectively, with the Belgian outfit demonstrating their collective strength on what was a testing day of racing.
The stage result adds fresh excitement to the overall classification battle with the race now heading into its second half. Stage 1 winner Itamar Einhorn continues to hold the yellow jersey as the general classification contenders keep a watchful eye on each other ahead of the decisive mountain stages still to come.
The Tour du Rwanda 2026 continues tomorrow with Stage 4 as the race pushes deeper into Rwanda’s iconic hills.
Tour du Rwanda 2026 runs February 22 to March 1.