Ukraine's Budiak wins Tour du Rwanda stage amid Russian invasion of his country
Tesfazion seizes race lead on stage 6
The Ukraine's Anatolii Budiak (Terengganu Cycling Team) won stage 6 of the Tour du Rwanda on Friday from Musanze and Kigali amid the Russian invasion of his country.
Budiak topped Natnael Tesfazion (Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli) just seconds before Eric Manizabayo (Benediction Ignite) came home in third place.
The successful breakaway moved Tesfazion into the race lead six seconds ahead of Budiak, with Henok Mulueberhan (Bike Aid) gaining enough time to draw level with stage 6 leader Angel Madrazo (Burgos-BH) in third.
"I’m very happy to win a race of such a level,” Budiak said after the race, “it was very hectic, everyone wanted to attack and it made the race very indecisive.”
The peloton had to work to keep the breakaways under control, and in the end, Burgos BH lost the lead by just 16 seconds.
“It was not planned to take the jersey today," Tesfazion said, "but the circumstances of the race were favorable, I thought that it would be rather tomorrow that I would take first place in the general classification.”
| Pos. | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anatolii Budiak (Ukr) Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team | 3:35:21 |
| 2 | Natnael Tesfazion (Eri) Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli | |
| 3 | Eric Manizabayo (Rwa) Benediction Ignite | 0:00:05 |
| 4 | Jhonatan Restrepo Valencia (Col) Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli | 0:00:07 |
| 5 | Henok Mulueberhan (Eri) Bike Aid | 0:00:09 |
| 6 | Alan Boileau (Fra) B&B Hotels-KTM | 0:00:16 |
| 7 | Sandy Dujardin (Fra) TotalEnergies | |
| 8 | Kent Main (RSA) Protouch | |
| 9 | Jesse Ewart (Irl) Bike Aid | |
| 10 | Angel Madrazo Ruiz (Spa) Burgos-BH |
| Pos. | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natnael Tesfazion (Eri) Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli | 17:33:13 |
| 2 | Anatolii Budiak (Ukr) Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team | 0:00:06 |
| 3 | Henok Mulueberhan (Eri) Bike Aid | 0:00:16 |
| 4 | Angel Madrazo Ruiz (Spa) Burgos-BH | |
| 5 | Jesse Ewart (Irl) Bike Aid | 0:00:29 |
| 6 | Kent Main (RSA) Protouch | 0:01:42 |
| 7 | Leo Hayter (GBr) Hagens Berman Axeon | 0:01:54 |
| 8 | Metkel Eyob (Eri) Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team | 0:02:11 |
| 9 | Juan Diego Alba Bolivar (Col) Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli | 0:02:12 |
| 10 | Eric Manizabayo (Rwa) Benediction Ignite | 0:02:15 |
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
All the reasons to subscribe to Cyclingnews in 2026: More industry-leading lab tests, exclusive investigations and insider interviews
All the member-exclusive features you can expect to read on Cyclingnews in the coming weeks and months -
Ineos Grenadiers are getting the band back together in 2026, but it's going to take more than Dave Brailsford and Geraint Thomas to return to their old Sky highs
The British team want to win the Tour again, but can a return to the past bring them into the future? -
'It means everything to me' – Amstel Gold Race winner Mattias Skjelmose extends contract with Lidl-Trek through to 2028
Dane will target Ardennes Classics in 2026 before riding in support of Juan Ayuso at Tour de France -
'I want to try to be the best athlete Belgium has ever known' – Remco Evenepoel inspired by Eddy Merckx after fifth Sportsman of the Year award
Red Bull rider jets in from training camp to collect prestigious award



