Rosskopf takes over from teammate Reijnen

Team Type 1 extend its domination at the Tour of Rwanda by keeping the yellow jersey and winning its fourth victory in four stages. Joey Rosskopf succeeded his teammate Kiel Reijnen at the head of the general classification after taking the stage victory in the hilly route between Kigali and Gisenyi.

"I was dropped in the climbs but came back to the downhills," said Rosskopf, who is currently a stagiaire for the US team and a neo-professional in 2012.

At the top of the last ascent with 33km to go, the American came back to a six-rider group that included his leader Reijnen and Rwandan Adrian Niyonshuti (MTN Qhubeka). He then attacked on the descent and caught two riders of the Rwandan national team, Gasore Hategeka and Abraham Ruhumuriza, who had formed an early breakaway. Both riders finished 47".

African squads had a strong race on the mountainous course, first with the Ethiopians who led a small breakaway with all their six riders, then with the Rwandan attackers. Aged 21, rising talent Emmanuel Rudahunga raced 50km in front alone and had a gap of up to 3:29. His two teammates launched an attack afterward, reaching a three minute advantage before being caught by a surprising Rosskopf in the very last kilometers.

In the general classification, Rosskopf now leads Hategeka and Ruhumuriza while Reijnen has dropped to fourth at 3:04. On Wednesday's stage 4 to Gitarama riders face more climbing, with 2,658m of vertical ascent sure to shake up the GC.

Full Results