Teammate Pepijn Reinderink continues to lead the general classification.
What a week it’s been for William Junior Lecerf at the Tour du Rwanda! On the opening day he helped the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team come out on top in the TTT, twenty-four hours later he finished runner-up in Kibeho, on the third stage he attacked only to be caught in the closing kilometer, and now, the win finally came at the end of a short but hard trek from Karongi to Rubavu.
Five classified climbs peppered the 93km stage, the last of these – averaging 6.9% – featuring in the final ten kilometers, and it was there that a rider attacked from the peloton after the original breakaway had been brought back. The gap looked to be decisive, but the small bunch reacted, chasing really hard and pulling back that move just ahead of the last kilometer, where yellow jersey Pepijn Reinderink did a perfect job for his Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team William Junior Lecerf, whose stunning acceleration propelled him to a maiden pro victory at the race which last year he finished third overall.
“It feels incredible to win in the pro ranks at one of my favourite races. I knew I was in good shape after the solid week I had with the World Tour squad at the AlUla Tour and the confidence was high after that result and the excellent start we had here in Rwanda. I have no words to tell you what this first victory means to me, but what I can do is say a big thanks to my Soudal Quick-Step Devo teammates, who worked hard the entire day, controlled the break and all the attacks that came late into the race, and without whom this incredible moment wouldn’t have been possible”, said the 21-year-old William, who moved up the second in the general classification.
Photo credit: ©Tour du Rwanda
