The wait is finally over. The 2025 UCI Road World Championships have officially kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda, marking the first time in the event’s 103-year history that the competition is being held on the African continent.
The opening ceremony at BK Arena on Sunday set the stage with a vibrant display of music, culture, and anticipation, before the first riders rolled out for the time trial.
From September 21 to 28, 2025, Kigali hosts 919 cyclists from 110 nations, representing every continent: 38 from Africa, 35 from Europe, 20 from the Americas, 16 from Asia, and 3 from Oceania.
For Rwanda, a country with deep passion for cycling, the arrival of the world’s best athletes is more than a sporting moment. It is a milestone of global recognition.
“For the first time in 103 years, the UCI Road World Championships come to Africa, with Rwanda proudly hosting it. This is a milestone for Rwanda and our continent, proof that with vision and leadership, nothing is beyond reach,” said Mathilde Mukantabana, Rwanda’s Ambassador to the United States.
A championship of firsts
The opening competitions have already brought Kigali’s streets to life, with fan zones filling up and spectators lining the roads to cheer on the riders. Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo emphasized the effort that has gone into preparing for this moment.
“The UCI Road World Championships is finally here. Rwandans have worked hard for this opportunity to host a global competition for a sport that we love and joyfully support. Rwandans together are doing our best to ensure that competitors, fans, and all of us have a memorable time in Kigali. We all deserve the fun, the thrill, and the benefits that sports and the business of sports bring,” Makolo said.
This year’s edition is also historic for introducing the first standalone Under-23 Women’s road race, reflecting the sport’s push for greater equality. Riders will also compete in mixed relay events that showcase men and women racing side by side in national colours.
Beyond competition, the International Cycling Union (UCI) has introduced a new safety measure in Kigali. All riders will race with GPS trackers under their saddles, providing real-time monitoring of their location and speed.
The technology can detect sudden stops or crashes, allowing faster emergency response. This innovation follows a tragic incident at the 2024 championships in Switzerland, when a junior rider’s crash went undetected for hours.
Rwanda’s challenge and opportunity
The elite men’s road race will span 267.5 kilometres, while the women’s individual time trial runs 31.2 kilometres with 460 metres of climbing. Riders will face the famous Côte de Nyanza and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura, climbs expected to produce decisive moments.
Commentators and analysts have described the routes as among the most challenging in the history of the World Championships, with a cumulative elevation gain of more than 5,400 metres on some races.
Kigali’s hills, combined with high temperatures and unpredictable weather, promise to test endurance and strategy to the limit.
For Rwanda, this event is an opportunity to showcase not just its cycling culture but also its capacity to host a major international sporting competition. The championships are expected to boost the local economy through tourism, hospitality, and global media exposure, while also inspiring a new generation of African cyclists.
UCI President David Lappartient, speaking ahead of the event, praised Rwanda’s preparation and the symbolic weight of the moment.
“To bring the Road World Championships to Africa for the first time is a victory for cycling’s global spirit. Rwanda has shown incredible commitment and passion. These championships will not only crown champions but also inspire an entire continent,” he said.
A legacy beyond the finish line
As the racing week unfolds, Kigali is buzzing with the energy of international visitors, fans, and media. For local communities, it is a chance to witness cycling at the highest level and to celebrate Rwanda’s growing influence in the sport.
The legacy of this championship, enables Rwanda to cement its place in global sport while opening new pathways for African athletes. It is also a reminder that sport is more than competition, it is community, business, and opportunity.
For Rwanda, this championship is proof that with resilience and vision, a nation can rise to meet the world. For Africa, it is the beginning of a new chapter in cycling’s long history.
And for the thousands gathered on Kigali’s streets, the races already underway are more than just a spectacle. They are history in motion.
Five things that make Kigali 2025 historic
Here are five reasons why it matters, both for the sport and for Africa.
The first time in Africa
For over a century, the Road Worlds have been hosted in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, but never in Africa. Rwanda is now the first African nation to welcome the global cycling family, putting Kigali at the centre of the sport’s history.
A truly global field
This year, 919 riders from 110 countries are competing. With 38 African nations represented, alongside riders from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, Kigali 2025 is one of the most diverse editions the championship has ever seen.
Equality on the roads
For the first time, the road worlds include a standalone Under-23 women’s road race, a milestone for gender equality in the sport. Mixed relay events also highlight men and women racing together, a growing tradition at UCI events.
Cutting-edge safety
All riders in Kigali are equipped with GPS trackers to monitor speed, location, and possible crashes. This innovation comes after lessons learned from last year’s tragedy in Switzerland, making safety a top priority.
Rwanda’s challenge, Africa’s pride
Kigali’s tough climbs, cobbled roads, and high-altitude heat promise a brutal test for the world’s best. But beyond medals, the event is a chance for Rwanda, and Africa as a whole, to showcase its passion for cycling and ability to host a world-class sporting event.
