He experienced firsthand, with a brief stint as a soldier, the bloody Tigray Civil War (lasting three years with 800,000 deaths and millions of refugees), in northern Ethiopia where, two years after peace was achieved, ominous clouds of renewed hostilities are gathering these days.

We are talking about Amaniel Teweldemedhn Desta, regarding whom, upon his return from Rwanda, there is a gap to fill: this twenty-year-old indeed deserves mention, having earned through determination the fourth place in the general classification, to the satisfaction of his mentor and fellow countryman Tgsabu Grmay. The Team Amani rider, best African cyclist at the 2026 Tour of Rwanda, is making the most of an athletic evolution that is certainly partial, also because the athlete in question, virtually lacking experience until 2024, is only this year able to find greater calendar opportunities, guaranteed by the strengthening of the Continental with Rwandan affiliation and logistical-operational base in Kenya. Not by the sea, but at altitude, in Iten, there in the forge of middle-distance runners and marathoners, which has also become a reference point for cyclists.

«Surprised by Desta? Not really, we had planned for a top ten, since he was one of our leaders along with Samuel Niyonkuru. Happy with what he was able to demonstrate, well supported by the entire team. Now we have a number of races ahead of us, two stage races, all in Turkey: the expansion of the calendar of races we compete in reflects the will to grow collectively, also presenting ourselves at races on the Africa Tour and Asian calendars, broadening our horizons to compete with rivals from other continents».

So it will happen in Turkey (40-day tour), which is exactly what happened in Rwanda, where the 2.1 category stage race format brought together African nationals, local continentals, and teams that are direct emanations of World Tour squads. Grmay adds: «we have two beautiful events ahead of us like the Tour of Antalya and Tour of Mersin, but also two other one-day classics. Later in the season we will have the opportunity to race in Mauritius and at the national championships».

The day that may have represented a true turning point in Amaniel's cycling career was Wednesday, February 25, on the occasion of the Karongi – Rubavu stage. The timing with which the Team Amani rider inserted himself into the early breakaway, staged by 18 riders, remains, upon closer inspection, the spark that triggered an action that the former soldier conducted with commendable wisdom in managing his strength. And so, over that stage with 2,551 meters of elevation gain, which shaped the general classification, Desta Teweldemedhn took the podium, finishing 14th at 2'31" from Belgian De Clercq (Soudal Quick Step), first at the finish line, and German Moritz Kretschky (Nsn), who with second place had secured the final yellow jersey. The Ethiopian rose to third position, which became fourth at the end of Saturday's stage, with the finish at the Pelé Stadium in Kigali, right after the Mur de Kigali.

What little the cyclist's facial expression did not convey was confirmed by the individual data (for those who love numbers: 3,045 kJ over 3h 12m, against 170 g/h) provided by the team affiliated with Kigali, but determined to represent a professional cycling "hub" for the entire central-eastern Africa. Again, the 34-year-old Grmay, a glory of national cycling with nine years spent in the World Tour: «I noticed Desta when he won in 2025 at the Tour of Tigray, organized after the years of War. He was racing for a local team and our scouting was successful. Our region, where the level of competition is high, is the same from which an emerging star of women's cycling like Tsige Kiros comes, who was very much in the spotlight at the Junior World Championships (upon her return celebrated by an entire community for 7th place in the world championship race, ed.) and 2025 African champion. Amaniel's determination alone would not be enough, there is quality that manifests itself precisely when Team Amani strengthens its project. Better than this…».