Today, October 8th, is Jock Boyer’s 70th Birthday. Jock is the founder of Team Rwanda Cycling, which is now Team Africa Rising. Although he stays somewhat out of the limelight these days, he continues to work behind the scenes on training and nutrition. He also still rides a bike like someone 30 years younger. He tests every new technology and nutritional supplement, adapting them for all the young African cyclists he works with every day.

Happy Birthday Messages (in no particular order 😉 )

Today, we wanted to share all the well-wishes we’ve received from around the world, most written, some videoed. Colleagues, cyclists, and friends who, especially after the recent World Championships in Rwanda, know how much Jock’s contribution to the sport matters from athletes to countries. None of us would be here, reading these messages, if Jock Boyer hadn’t reluctantly been dragged to Rwanda by Tom Ritchey in 2006. Never underestimate the power of a single moment in time to affect a generation to come.

I as a Rwandan cyclist I just can’t express my Gratitude to Jonathan Boyer in Just words. For Rwandan cycling and African cycling to be at  the level it is now is because of the sacrifices people like Jock have made. To me personally Jock is my coach, mentor, friend and my second father. Thanks you for be a blessing in my life Coach , happy birthday

Jonathan Rafiki, 16, Rwandan Junior Cyclist and son of Rafiki Uwimana, one of the original five members of Team Rwanda Cycling.

Hello Jock,

I know you wants to develop African cycling and he has done so much with Rwanda 🇷🇼 I hope he can continue to contribute to African cycling and I really wish Him a happy birthday In all your life. I wish him Peaceful and joy rest of his life ❤️ 💙 

best regards 

Merhawi Kudus, Eritrean professional cyclist with Burgos BH

My best wishes muzehe Coach for you anniversary 70 years old i want to thank you so much for everything you sacrificed for African country support cycling sport especially my Country this year we had broke historic in sports to see Rwanda 🇷🇼 hold the bigger events in world. all is because you muzehe coach God blessed you times and you sacrificed to come over from USA 🇺🇸 let’s you business and you family come over in African to rising cycling. i am luck to meet you muzehe our promises and you hard work make me to be come the first Rwanda professional cycling two time Olympic and all development i achieved at my home town Rwamagana without your supporting my dreams I honest the world everyone who love cycling share be passions like you we can make a cycling in African country best sports. Thank you so much for everything God blessings you birthday Muzehe 🎂

Adrien Niyonshuti, Rwandan Olympian 2012/2016, former World Tour cyclist with Team Dimension Data and one of the original members of Team Rwanda Cycling.

Jock at 70
Jock Boyer is an inspirational figure, and not only because of his cycling, though that in itself would be enough, with his record as the first American to compete in the Tour de France never to be beaten.
More than that, he translated his passion into pragmatism in setting up and running Team Rwanda. This was not an easy gig by any manner of means, especially in those early days now nearly 20 years ago, when Kigali was a backwater struggling to emerge from the division and devastation of the genocide. And Ruhengeri made Kigali seem like Las Vegas.
But much more than just establish the Team, Jock and, later, Kimberly stuck with it, quite different to most aid schemes that come and go as quickly as the instigator arrives and departs. And this hints at Jock’s other great personal strength, in recognising his faults and paying his dues in a way and with stickability that commanded not only global attention but was done so with an honour and openness that deserves our admiration.
Janet and the kids, and especially William, for whom Jock is simply a star, join me in wishing him a Happy 70th Birthday, and many more.

Greg Mills, Author, Former Advisor to President Kagame, Team Africa Rising Board Member

Jock,

Somehow it hasn’t escaped me.
We were at a dinner in Northern California,
A big auditorium;
Maybe Solvang,
At a camp;
Or perhaps the Tour of CA?

I think it was 07,
Because you’d been back from Rwanda.

Ritchey
And other big whigs
were at your table.

I think that Cooper told you about me.

Dinner had been served,
Tables were unwinding.

I remember your look;
Your head was turned
We caught eyes,
You didn’t look
Or turn away.

It’s really not so much those cowboy eyes,
It’s what’s behind them.

Thank you for picking me out, Jock!
And not turning away;
And at every discussion
Or opportunity
For seeing into me.

You’ve effected
And affected my life
Only in a positive way.

Thank you for being
A mentor,
An uncle,
A dad
And a friend.

Happy 70th!!!
I love you, Jock!!!

Scott Nydam, Former professional cyclist, Team Rwanda Cycling Coach 2010, Founder of Silver Stallion

Happy 70th, Jock! Almost twenty years since you and Tom Ritchey started Team Rwanda — what an incredible journey it’s been. You turned a dream into something that transformed lives and gave hope to a nation. Your time, knowledge, and connection with cycling have helped make Rwanda the true home of world cycling today. Thank you for believing in us and inspiring generations.

— Eric Murangwa Eugene MBE, Former Rwandan Footballer

Happy birthday to Coach Jock Boyer I wish him to stay strong 💪 more years he change Africa cycling in Rwanda 🇷🇼  I can say UCI road World Champion Chips we have it in Rwanda last week he change Rwandan rides.

Like me it’s him send me to school South Africa to learn Massage. He send to me USA five months in the school for massage & Yoga I neva forget that. Am still doing massage to national team from Jock. It’s only him by him self he decides to send me in the school 🙏

Obed Ruvogera, one of the original members of Team Rwanda Cycling

Jock, you represent what a success story truly means — inspiring a nation and leading a team to greatness. Your passion and dedication to African cycling have always amazed me.

Thank you for everything you’ve done, Jock. Wishing you a very happy birthday!

Aurelie Halbwachs, professional cyclist from Mauritius, 2017 African Road Cycling Continental Champion

Jock, you made so many Africans rise from ashes. You have been a father, a mentor a God to so many kids from Rwanda and so much hope to neighbours… you have been the very starting point of African cycling the root where it all started and now starting to shine on world scene ! Congratulations for your build and your legacy, it should stay forever!

Thank you for helping me going to 1 and only Olympics as the very first Mauritian MTbiker. Your friend: Yannick

Yannnick Lincoln, Mauritius Mountain Bike Cyclist and 2016 Olympian

Phil Liggett, world-renowned cycling announcer, cyclist, and friend

Happy birthday my friend. My life has been a great ride because you have been in it. What a gift it’s been to have friends like you that stretch the imagination, believe the impossible is possible and are committed to the one thing that drives it all. Love you buddy. T.

TC Johnstone, Filmmaker and Director of the Award Winning Rising from Ashes 

Jock to me means he is a person that always make you believe in yourself for what you are doing and that you can achieve it. Jock always wanted to bring African Cycling to the top, to the world top. And happy birthday to him.

Richard Lazar, Tanzanian former professional cyclist with Bike Aid (2015-2016)

“It’s pretty amazing to see what cycling has become in Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa in the past twenty years, and it’s pretty hard to imagine all that opportunity and talent having found such expression if Jock Boyer hadn’t showed up at the right moment and gone about his quiet work there, with steadfast dedication and conviction, and no interest in eclipsing the attention and rewards that the riders he coached won.”

Philip Gourevitch, Journalist at the New Yorker, Author of We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will be Killed with Our Families about the Rwandan Genocide

As Jock Boyer marks his 70th birthday, we recognize his outstanding contribution to the development of cycling in Rwanda and accross Africa. His vision and long-standing commitment have been instrumental in nurturing talent and building strong foundations for the sport across the continent.

Beyond athlete development, Jock has played a key role in shaping a generation of top coaches, mechanics and other stakeholders who are now driving the continued growth of cycling in their communities and beyond. We extend our sincere appreciation to Jock Boyer for his continued dedication and lasting impact on the cycling community.

Achilles K, Technical Director of the Rwandan Cycling Federation

Happy BDay Jock, from the whole Masaka Cycling Club family. Thank you for always having our backs. We often seek you out when times are tough and you always step up with the wisdom and encouragement needed to continue the fight. Have a ripping day friend. We all love you and thank you for setting the tone for all of us. Keep being a ripping human.

Ross Burrage, Founder of Masaka Cycling Club Uganda

Jock Boyer helped inspire a love of cycling and adventure in me. We met in Rwanda making Rising From Ashes and it was far more than making a film. It was meals around the table, rides in the hills, the thrill of competition, the comfort of family. Happy Birthday, star of sport.

Greg Kwedar, Filmmaker and Producer of Rising From Ashes

The recent UCI World Road Championships are a legacy to the work Jonathan Boyer did in Africa, Rwanda in particular. For several years i provided as much UCI assistance as I could and he used it to great effect. And it was’nt just Rwanda – Eritrea, Benin are also down to him.
As UCI President I enjoyed working with him as I found his passion infectious.

Pat McQuaid, former President of the UCI

Matthias Schnapka, Owner of Team Bike Aid which has given numerous African cyclists opportunities in the pro peloton

Jock is the Heart of Team Rwanda. Rwanda became known in the world of cycling because of Jonathan Boyer. I haven’t met him in person, yet, but his achievements in cycling are what made me form a cycling team so that the athletes he had built wouldn’t be lost. I would like to meet him in person.

Pascal Ndizeye, Owner of Java-InovoTec ProTeam Rwanda

To Jock — a tireless champion whose endless efforts have pedal-driven Rwanda into a brighter future and whose influence spans a decade and beyond across Africa. Your vast experience in cycling has shaped paths, inspired countless riders, and proven that health, resilience, and community ride together. On this remarkable 70th birthday, may you be riding a minimum of four hours at tempo, showing us all that passion and discipline can turn dreams into miles. Here’s to the trail you’ve blazed and to the miles you have yet to conquer. Happy 70th Birthday, Jock — may your ride keep inspiring us to live healthy, active lives.

JP Van Zyl, Director of the UCI World Cycling Center South Africa

Happy 70th Birthday, Jock 

Today we celebrate not only your 70th birthday but also an extraordinary legacy that has shaped the very heart of African cycling.

From the humble beginnings of the Wooden Bike Classic to guiding Rwandan riders like Adrien Niyonshuti all the way to the London and Rio Olympic Games, your vision, passion, and perseverance have transformed lives and inspired generations.

You didn’t just bring cycling to Rwanda you helped create a movement, a community, and a sense of possibility that continues to ripple across the continent. Because of your dedication, belief, and tireless work, African cycling now stands proudly on the world stage, culminating in the first-ever UCI Road World Championships in Africa in Rwanda, the country you dedicated so much of your life too.

Your influence reaches far beyond sport. You’ve given hope, purpose, and opportunity to so many young men and women who discovered their strength and potential through cycling.

On behalf of everyone whose life you’ve touched riders, teams, fans, and friends we thank you and celebrate you today.

Happy 70th, Jock. Your legacy rides on every road in Rwanda and across Africa.

With gratitude and respect,

Doug Ryder, Team Owner of Q36.5 and Founder of the ground breaking Africa Team, MTN Qhubeka

Never have I had a friend more consistent in his faith and purpose then Jock. The weight of his burdens are outshined by his love of others and dedication to a long obedience is the same direction.

Dan Cooper, Former Board Member of Project Rwanda

Jock’s African project was the first I heard about that actually delivered tangible results. I personally visited his base in 2011, and saw for myself the impact that his efforts were having on so many young lives in Rwanda. Since then, African Cycling seems to have followed a gradual trend upwards with quite a few projects gaining traction and global support, most likely thanks to the pioneering and challenging work that Jock completed over the past decades. As an African living in South Africa, I say “Thank you, Jock Boyer”.

Kevin Vermaak, Founder of the Cape Epic

« Jock Boyer est pour moi bien plus qu’un entraîneur. Grâce à ses conseils et à l’opportunité de m’entraîner à ses côtés, j’ai grandi comme cycliste et comme homme. Il restera pour le cyclisme béninois et africain un véritable bâtisseur, un modèle de foi et de dévouement. »

“Jock Boyer is much more than a coach for me. Thanks to his advice and the opportunity to train alongside him, I grew up as a cyclist and as a man. He will remain for Beninese and African cycling a true builder, a model of faith and dedication. ”

Exodus Saizanou, Benin Junior National Champion

Ant McCrossen, Cycling Announcer and fan of Team Africa Rising

“Jock is perhaps one of the most unique people I have met during my journey in both sport and cycling. For a kid who grew up in a blue collar factory city and played team sports, he was part of my first exposure to the sport. He was cycling. He was a trailblazer as the first American in the Tour de France. He had meaning. As I got to know him as a person, he was initially distant but once he knew I was committed to promote the sport at its highest level, he was accepting. My admiration of him grew out of the purity for what he would unselfishly accomplish with the African people while sharing his love for the bike. Most of all, he was human and real with scars. The more I learned, the more I admired. He is a transcendent figure not only for cycling but for sport. A gravitational force for change and acceptance achieved both on and off the bike.”

Steve Brunner, KOM Sports Marketing, Maryland Cycling Classic Organizer, Colorado Classic Race Organizer

Where to begin on the impact of Jock Boyer to cycling in Africa over the years?  Starting with the Wooden Bike Classic, starting a national cycling team and leading the charge to get his team members into international races, the Olympics and to the Tour de’ France!

Beyond the coaching and mentorship of the cyclists, the positive impact to their families has helped the healing of a country from a tragic chapter in its history.  The ripple effect of benefit has been exponential!

Jock’s determination to make a difference for the cyclists of Africa, despite daunting obstacles is truly inspiring!  Recalling all that Jock has accomplished by leading a band of passionate, hard working folks to see his vision come to fruition is truly remarkable!  

Thank you Jock for all you do🙏🏻

Kim Raymond, Leadville 100 winner and Team Africa Rising Board Member

“Looking at African cycling from when I start cycling to date, a lot has really changed and happened, we’ve seen more riders making it to the highest level of the sport to having the world championships in Rwanda, something that had never happened before but one thing most of us don’t really think about is how all of this got to happen, it of course involved starting from scratch in Rwanda together with supporting several African nations/riders to make big steps, the only person I can think about with all of this is Jock Boyer, to me he is like the godfather of African cycling and that will never change…

Happy birthday Jock”

Charles Kagimu, Ugandan National Road and ITT Champion, 2024 Olympian

Yes, Mucyecu 

For Me – You & Mr Coach Jonathan Boyer Means Parents to Me ❤️

And For African cycling 🚴‍♂️ He is Sunshine ☀️ 

God Bless Him 🙏

Rafiki Uwimana, UCI World Cycling Center Mechanic and original member of Team Rwanda Cycling

Happy Birthday Jock, thank you for all you have done with your #AfricaRising initiative and for believing in and relentlessly promoting African Cycling throughout the world. To see the talent and potential rising from our beautiful continent is inspiring.

Max Cluer, Sports Commentator

I’m writing this beside a soccer field in Peru where indigenous children are just about to kick off a tournament between villages. It took 23 hours in a tiny canoe to get here. Obviously, in such surroundings, I think of Jock. In 2009 I visited Rwanda and filmed Jock working with young Rwandan athletes, coaching them from the motorbike, teaching them the unthinkable discipline of simultaneously eating, drinking, listening, pedalling, watching the wheel in front – in short, learning the multitasking miracle of modern cycling – while at the same time growing, studying, earning driving licenses (enormously important to them for their job prospect) in passing from childhood into adulthood. The affinity between them was self evident, and today, many years on, his contribution to their lives could not be clearer. The network of wonderful, warm human relationships that he has woven around him, has been a joy to see, especially his relationship with Adrien, and of course, with Kimberly. You are a formidable pair, and I can only imagine the pride, with which you experienced the holding of the World Championships in Rwanda, which, by any criterion, is largely your doing. We have always remained in touch, and I’ve always been proud to call Jock a friend. I think we have the same concept of friendship, in which time and distance  do nothing to corrode the essential connection. Those things are the basis of what Jock means to me. Congratulations on your birthday, and on the full and busy life that you live, full, yes, of achievement, but, more importantly, rich in the glow of good emotion and genuine caring. I care for you, Jock, and I’ll always be grateful, grateful to have known you, and to have called you my friend.

Matt Rendell, Author, Climate Activist

“Jock Boyer played a major role in the development of African cycling. He believed in African cycling, shared his experience, his knowledge and helped build the foundation for what the sport has become today.” And I wish him a very Happy Birthday and many years to live! God bless him and you too ❤️!

Eyeru Tesfoam, 2028 Refugee Olympian and professional cyclist from Ethiopia

Jock Boyer has been one of the quiet architects of African cycling’s awakening. Long before the world believed that a professional peloton could emerge from Rwanda or that African riders could compete on the global stage, Jock was already on the ground — building, teaching, and believing. His work with Team Rwanda gave the continent its first glimpses of what discipline, structure, and faith in local talent could achieve. To me personally, Jock represents the rare blend of courage and compassion that true pioneers possess. He didn’t just coach cyclists; he helped rebuild lives and restore dignity through sport. In many ways, his journey mirrors Qhubeka’s own — proving that a bicycle can indeed change a life, and that one person’s conviction can help move an entire continent forward.

— Anthony Fitzhenry, Founder, Qhubeka Charity NPC

Lorsque j’ai croisé Jock BOYER pour la première fois ce qui m’a le plus marqué, c’est qu’il me dise que nous devons gérer nous-mêmes notre développement, que si nous voulons devenir une nation de CYCLISME, nous devons avoir notre propre matériel et nos propres techniciens, en gros nous former pour être autonomes. A ce moment-là, j’ai compris que Jock BOYER était exactement sur la même longueur d’onde que moi et que nous allions nous entendre. Grâce à lui et a Team Africa Rising, au bout de quatre ans, le Bénin a fait un bon qualitatif majeur au niveau du cyclisme africain, au point que nous sommes cités en exemple par la directrice générale de l’UCI. Tous les jours, il nous transmet son savoir et tous les jours nous bénéficions de son attention. Si les championnats du monde ont eu lieu au Rwanda c’est parce qu’il a révélé le cyclisme dans ce pays. Si certains coureurs peuvent s’entrainer dans de bonnes conditions, c’est parce qu’il les accompagne. Jock m’a demandé une fois de transporter au Gabon un vélo pour un cycliste érythréen. Il est l’un des artisans du vrai développement que connaît l’Afrique aujourd’hui.

When I first met Jock Boyer, what struck me most was his telling me that we had to manage our own development, that if we wanted to become a cycling nation, we needed to have our own equipment and our own technicians, basically, train ourselves to be self-sufficient. At that moment, I understood that Jock Boyer was on exactly the same wavelength as me and that we would get along. Thanks to him and Team Africa Rising, after four years, Benin had made a major qualitative leap forward in African cycling, to the point that we were cited as an example by the UCI’s general director. Every day, he shares his knowledge with us, and every day we benefit from his attention.
If the world championships were held in Rwanda, it’s because he brought cycling to the forefront of that country. If some riders are able to train in good conditions, it’s because he supports them. Jock once asked me to transport a bicycle to Gabon for an Eritrean cyclist. He is one of the architects of the true development Africa is experiencing today.

Romuald Hazoumé, Benin Cycling Federation President

Dear Jock,
Many many happy returns for your 70th birthday!
You’ll still fitter than all of us, the passion for cycling is still so strong in you, and every time I speak to African cyclists your name comes up. Your legacy in Africa is so strong, and I know you don’t care too much accolades, but you changed a lot of lives. It’s a pleasure to have worked with you now for ten years, and hope many more!

Jeremy Ford, Friend and Relentless Promoter of all things African Cycling (and US)

Valens Ndayisenga, Rwandan cyclist, former professional cyclist with Team Dimension Data and Team Tirol