The complete route of the 2022 Tour du Rwanda was revealed on 30 November 2021. The mountainous eight-day stage race covered 937.1 kilometres (582.3 mi) and over 15,428 metres (50,617 ft) of elevation, with 31 categorized climbs and four summit finishes. Like in previous editions, the Rwandan capital, Kigali, featured heavily in the race, being a start and/or finish location on all but one of the eight stages. While the Mur de Kigali time trial, which had featured as stage 7 of the past two editions, was not a part of the route, the cobbled hill was still climbed four times during the race. Instead, the race began with a short time trial for the first time since 2017.[2]
On stage 2, as per race regulations, Jhonatan Restrepo and Sandy Dujardin, who were the next two best-placed riders in the general classification not already leading a classification after stage 1, wore the orange-and-white and the dark blue jerseys, respectively. However, neither rider was deemed to be officially leading those respective classifications, as no points had been awarded on stage 1 for either classification.[11]
On stage 2, Axel Laurance, who finished fifth on stage 1, wore the red-gold-and-white jersey, as the best-placed rider not already leading a classification or wearing another classification jersey.[11]
On stage 3, Abram Stockman, who was second in the sprints classification, wore the dark blue jersey, because first-placed El Houcaine Sabbahi wore the orange-and-white jersey as the leader of the mountains jersey.[14]
On stages 4 and 5, Natnael Tesfatsion, who was second in the young rider classification, wore the blue-sky-and-yellow jersey, because first-placed Axel Laurance wore the orange-and-white jersey as the leader of the mountains classification.[17][20]
On stage 4, Ángel Madrazo, who finished third on stage 3, wore the red-gold-and-white jersey, because stage winner Jhonatan Restrepo wore the yellow jersey as the leader of the general classification, and second-placed finisher Axel Laurance wore the orange-and-white jersey as the leader of the mountains classification.[17]
On stage 6, Pierre Rolland, who finished second on stage 5, wore the red-gold-and-white jersey, because stage winner Alexandre Geniez wore the dark blue jersey as the leader of the sprints classification.[23]
On stages 7 and 8, Henok Mulubrhan, who was second in the young rider classification, wore the blue-sky-and-yellow jersey, because first-placed Natnael Tesfatsion wore the yellow jersey as the leader of the general classification.[26][29]
^The jersey worn by the winner of the most recent stage is known as the red-gold-and-white jersey.
^The mountains classification leader's jersey is known as the orange-and-white jersey.
^The sprints classification leader's jersey is known as the dark blue jersey.
^The young rider classification leader's jersey is known as the blue-sky-and-yellow jersey.
^ abcThe jerseys for the African rider classification, the team classification, and the combativity award are only awarded after each stage; they are not worn during the race.
^The African rider classification leader's jersey is known as the green-and-white jersey.
^The team classification leader's jersey is known as the white-and-blue-sky jersey.
^The team classification leader's jersey is known as the orange-green-and-white jersey.
