Stage 4 of Tour du Rwanda 2026 delivered another shake-up in the mountains, as Belgian rider Mathijs De Clercq stormed to victory on the hilly 127.2km route from Karongi to Rubavu, beating Moritz Kretschy and Mauro Cuylits in a reduced uphill sprint by Lake Kivu.
Today’s stage followed yesterday’s explosive Huye–Rusizi showdown, where Jurgen Zomermaand attacked on the final descent and climb to take both Stage 3 and the yellow jersey for Development Team Picnic Post NL. The Karongi–Rubavu route offered another selective day: constant rolling terrain and a decisive Category 2 climb near the finish, favouring punchy climbers and threatening any GC leader caught out of position.
How Stage 4 Was Won
A series of early attacks marked the opening kilometres out of Karongi as teams sensing opportunity after Zomermaand’s takeover tried to infiltrate the breakaway. The peloton allowed a small, quality group to go clear, but with GC gaps still tight and back-to-back mountain days, Picnic Post NL, NSN and Lotto–Groupe Wanty kept the margin under strict control to avoid another long-range ambush.
On the final climb towards Rubavu, the early move was swept up, and the front group thinned to a select bunch of general classification contenders and stage hunters. De Clercq timed his effort perfectly over the top, staying in the front split on the descent and then launching his winning sprint in the last few hundred metres, with Kretschy and Cuylits unable to come around him before the line.
Impact on General Classification
While full updated GC is still being consolidated, Zomermaand remains in a strong position after defending his yellow jersey under repeated attacks on the climbs and technical run-in to Rubavu. Previous race leader Pau Martí (NSN), who lost yellow on Stage 3 after cracking on the Giheke ascent, again had to limit damage today as the pure climbers and all-rounders exploited the terrain.
The podium contenders are now clearly defined: Zomermaand on top, with Martí, aggressive climbers from NSN, Lotto–Groupe Wanty and Eritrea National Team all still within striking distance ahead of three more decisive stages in Rubavu, Musanze and Kigali.
What Comes Next
Stage 5 keeps the race in Rubavu for a short but intense circuit stage (82km), likely favouring explosive riders and opportunistic breakaways, while offering only limited GC time gaps before the high-altitude battles around Musanze and the traditional Kigali showdown. With De Clercq’s victory proving that non-GC riders can still snatch glory on hard stages, expect more aggressive tactics from teams hunting wins before the final weekend.