On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Spain’s Paula Ostiz, 18, powered through the challenging 74 km course in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds, with Italy’s Chantal Pegolo and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann taking silver and bronze respectively.
Rwandan cyclists marked a historic milestone at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships as the nation’s first female riders completed the junior road race, highlighting Rwanda’s growing presence in international cycling.
Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana became the first Rwandan women under 19 to cross the finish line in the junior category, finishing 48th and 49th respectively, just over 12 minutes behind Ostiz.
The race was fiercely contested, with 72 riders from 34 nations navigating the demanding circuit around Kigali Convention Centre and the iconic cobbled climb of Kwa Mignonne in Kimihurura.
Early breakaway attempts were quickly neutralized, and by the final laps, only a select group of riders remained in contention. South Africa’s Megan Botha and other competitors from Namibia, Ethiopia, and Lesotho withdrew, underscoring the grueling nature of the course.
Rwandan riders steadily held their own, staying in the second-to-last pack but gaining valuable experience competing on the world stage.
Their completion of all laps reflects the nation’s growing investment in youth cycling, following earlier strong performances by Moise Ntirenganya in the junior men’s race and Samuel Niyonkuru in the U-23 category.
The elite women’s road race later in the day featured 104 riders from 44 countries tackling a 164.6 km course, including Rwanda’s Ingabire Diane, Irakoze Neza Violette, Nirere Xaverine, and Nzayisenga Valentine. Fans lined Kigali streets to cheer on the athletes as they battled steep climbs, urban circuits, and intense competition.
Race organizers and cycling enthusiasts praised Rwanda’s role as the first African host of the UCI Road World Championships, noting that the successful participation of Rwandan women adds to the momentum of gender equity in sport.
“The completion of this historic race by our young women is a proud moment for Rwanda. It inspires the next generation and demonstrates the potential of Rwandan cyclists on the global stage,” said an official from the national cycling federation.
As the championship heads into its final days, Rwanda’s cyclists continue to gain invaluable exposure and experience, signaling a bright future for the country’s cycling program and its emerging women athletes.
