Kigali — THE Moroccan cycling team continued their supremacy on day three of Tour of Rwanda after Mohammed Erragragui swept the gruelling third stage after clocking 3hours, 37minutes and 49 seconds.

Chaoufi Tarik (Morocco) finished second and the tour's defending champion Adrien Niyonshuti (Karisimbi) third, both with the same time (3hours, 39 minutes and 57 seconds).

Four-time champion Abraham Ruhumuriza (Karisimbi) struggled finishing in 7th after clocking 3 hours 39 minutes and 57 seconds.

The Moroccan pocketed Rwf300.000 for the win.

After yesterday's win, Erragragui leapfrogged his Moroccan team mate Jelloul Adil in the general classification. With an overall time of 12 hours, 40 minutes and 55 seconds, Erragragui, who will be wearing the yellow jersey today, holds a 5 second lead over Adil.

Ruhumuriza is 3rd (12:42:44) while Niyonshuti is sixth, 1 minute and 50 seconds behind Erragragui.

Four riders pulled out during yesterday's demanding 124km stage (Kigali to Kibuye). The quartet includes Benjamin Ntahongendera (Burundi), Charles Anguilet (Gabon) and the West African pair of Calvin Tamazu (Cameroon) and Mamadou Coulibaly (Ivory Coast).

Today's 156 km stage starts from Kibuye to Huye.

Twelve countries are taking part in the eight day event which ends next Tuesday.

Overall Standings after Stage 3

1. M. Erragragui (MOR) 12:40:55

2. J. Adil (MOR) 12:41:00

3. A. Ruhumuriza (RWA) 12:42:44

4. C. Tarik (MOR) 12:42:44

5. S. Abdelaati (MOR) 12:42:52

6. A. Niyonshuti (RWA) 12:42:52

Tour of Rwanda

Stage 3 (Kigali-Kibuye) -124km

1) M.Erragragui (MOR) 3: 37: 49

2) C.Tarik (MOR) 3:39:57

3) A.Niyonshuti (RWA) 3:39:57

4) N.Zakayo (KEN) 3:39:57

5) J.Adel (MOR) 3:39:57

Today

Kibuye - Huye (Butare) 156km