Jeanne D'arc Girubuntu

thumb|Jeanne D'arc Girubuntu during UCI in 2015. Jeanne d'Arc Girubuntu (born 6 May 1995) is a Rwandan road cyclist. She became Rwandan national road race and time trial champion in 2014. In 2015, she was invited to train at the World Cycling Centre in Switzerland for three months. She was the first Rwandan female rider to do so, and the 1000th rider to train at the WCC. Quotes It didn’t take me very long to adapt and learn all the basics. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) At first, it was very challenging being the only girl at the centre and doing exactly the same training as men was not easy. But again I realised it was helping me grow very fast and I had to blend in very quickly. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) I was very fine at school and all was going well, but I had to drop out. I travellered a lot in 2015, I could not handle cycling and studies simultaneously. I will go back to school when the right time comes. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) At some point, I had even an inner thought that maybe cycling is not meant for me and I am just forcing myself. Later after calming down, I realized finishing fourth was not a bad performance for a debutant. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) I can’t say I performed well, but I don’t think there is anything I could have done better either. It was my first year on the international scene, it was mainly for learning and gaining experience. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) I am very sure I am a better rider today than I was last year. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) Seeing myself on the podium and my country’s flag flying high felt fantastic. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) In order to be a top cyclist in a professional team, I still have a lot of work ahead of me. But I am certainly ready for it. Rwanda's female cycling ace. fairplanet.org (October 8, 2026) I want to show all the women in Africa -- the poor, black women -- that we too can race bikes, be successful, and make money. Meet The Only Woman On Rwanda's National Cycling Team. espn.com (October 8, 2026) We do not need to follow the culture of getting married young and having children and working the fields. Meet The Only Woman On Rwanda's National Cycling Team. espn.com (October 8, 2026) In the rural villages where we live the women still don’t have a lot of rights and they are still doing most of the work. But it can change and I can see it changing. From Rwanda to the world championships: the promising future of Jeanne d'Arc Girubuntu. velo.outsideonline.com (October 8, 2026) This really made me very happy, especially that I was the first black woman to compete at the World Cycling Championships. Of course I was the only Rwandan female cyclist and did not expect to win because I did not have fellow country-mates to ride along with but I accepted this and said to myself that I should go strong. From Rwanda to the world championships: the promising future of Jeanne d'Arc Girubuntu. velo.outsideonline.com (October 8, 2026) I want to be a professional cyclist and ride on a pro team. I also want to help my fellow girls back home and form a girls’ team in Rwanda. From Rwanda to the world championships: the promising future of Jeanne d'Arc Girubuntu. velo.outsideonline.com (October 8, 2026) At competitions I always ride alone but I know that it is possible to encourage more girls to join cycling and we can do wonders in the near future. It is possible. From Rwanda to the world championships: the promising future of Jeanne d'Arc Girubuntu. velo.outsideonline.com (October 8, 2026) When I first started training in 2012, I was exhausted. I didn’t want to go back. But in the end, I love cycling so much. I like winning and being first. Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) Training with the boys was hard, but it forced me to improve. Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) In the beginning, some people in the community told me I had to stop, Now these same people are cheering for me and telling me to keep riding! Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) I’d like to have other girls by my side, to help and encourage me. Without them, I can’t improve. Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) Training with the boys was hard; they are physically and technically stronger. But it forced me to improve. Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) Despite the hardships and prejudice, I only have one priority and passion: Cycling. Race For Her Rights, Rwandan Cyclist Takes On Sexism. worldcrunch.com (October 8, 2026) It’s just not rare that I’m a female, but it is rare in itself to compete on an international stage especially with World Championships so I’m very happy that I get to be the one to do that. Cycling Redefined: Rwanda’s Joan of Arc. edgeofsports.com (October 8, 2026) It’s a very rare opportunity and I’m very glad that I am the first one to be able to do this and I know that by doing this I’m really opening up doors for other female cyclists within the country. Cycling Redefined: Rwanda’s Joan of Arc. edgeofsports.com (October 8, 2026) My new responsibility is to tell as many women as possible that cycling is a beautiful sport, I want more women to be involved. Women's cycling has found a pioneer in Rwanda. cyclingnews.com (October 8, 2026) We have a lot young women riders who need enough races to increase their level. Rwanda National Cycling Tournament. galileostadiumhotels.com (October 8, 2026) External links Category:Living people Category:Cyclists Category:1995 births Category:Women from Rwanda