As Rwandans line the streets to catch a glimpse of famous cyclists, the International Cycling Union Road World Championships in the capital Kigali has gripped the world’s attention and showcased the tiny country’s determined spirit.
Crowds waving mainly Rwandan flags cheered as the road races began Thursday morning with the women’s under-23.
Some 82 riders from 40 countries kicked off the women’s under-23 road race, covering a 119.3-kilometer course with 2,435 meters of elevation.
This was the first time the under-23 women were competing in their own standalone road race.
France’s Celia Gery was crowned women’s under-23 road race champion after completing the 119.3-kilometer course in 3:24:26.
Set to run until Sept. 28, the 2025 UCI Road World Championships officially began Sept. 21 amid pomp and fanfare, making Rwanda the first African nation to host the event.
Held under the theme “Riding New Heights,” the event features six road races, six individual time trials and a mixed relay team time trial.
For days, thousands of Rwandans and visitors, including riders, have been greeted by captivating cultural performances.
The starting point at BK Arena has been a beehive of activity as fans followed the men’s and women’s individual time trials.
Traditional drums and rhythmic performances marked each rider’s turn at the starting line, creating a festive mood that set the tone for the spectacular event.
From kids to pros, families to fans, the streets came alive with joy and color. Some streets in the city were completely cleared for the cyclists.
On Friday, the men’s juniors and under-23s will compete over 119.3-kilometer and 164.6-kilometer courses, respectively.
The women’s juniors will start the day’s competition before the elite women’s race scheduled Saturday afternoon.
The 98th UCI Road World Championships will reach a climax with the 267.5-kilometer elite men’s road race.
The riders will start with nine laps of a 15-kilometer city circuit, followed by three climbs, one of which will take the riders to an elevation of 1,771 meters on Mount Kigali.
The tiny nation is hosting more than 900 riders representing over 100 countries, including 36 African nations, as well as more than 5,000 international guests, in a celebration of sport, unity and global friendship, according to the organizers.
The various categories include the men’s and women’s under-23 races, introduced for the first time to offer young emerging athletes an opportunity to shine.
“It is a great event,” Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho, the first rider to set off in the women’s junior individual time trial, told Bantu Gazette.
She completed the 13.6-kilometer course in 29 minutes and 43 seconds, finishing at the Kigali Convention Centre.
Masengesho, 17, said that she was “excited to race” at the world championships and appreciated Rwandan fans cheering for the riders.
At BK Arena, Japhet Munyemana brought his two sons to watch the cyclists.
He said beyond the race, there is a lot of fun with the “warmth of Rwandans on display as the slogan says Riding New Heights.”
He added that he encourages his sons aged 10 and 12 to love cycling. “Every cycling event, we make it a point that we come to watch. I buy them T-shirts and caps and Rwandan flags,” he said.
On the roadsides, families rested, drank water or juice and munched on snacks as they waited for cyclists, while others sang morale songs and clapped.
To David Lappartient, president of the UCI, the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali was long overdue.
He recalled that when he campaigned for president in 2017, his dream was to bring the pinnacle event to Africa.
Lappartient hailed the rising level of African cycling, which he said offered confidence in the athletes.
“The talent from Africa has grown tremendously and this week, the world will witness it,” he told the crowd during the opening ceremony.
He pointed out that this could be the hardest UCI Road World Championship ever, though it also came off as one of the most spectacular.
Lappartient believes the event will “accelerate the sport’s growth across the continent.”
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has a passion for cycling.
Kagame said Thursday the 125th anniversary of the UCI is a significant milestone, all the more so because it marks the first time that these events are held in Africa.
“We are grateful to all the riders and fans who have travelled from near and far to be here. From the biggest cycling nations, others from the smallest, your presence is what makes these events truly meaningful,” he said, speaking at the 194th UCI Congress in Kigali.
“To the athletes: We know that our hills can be relentless, yet you navigate them with determination and heroism. Your resilience mirrors Rwanda’s own journey, which has led us to this historic moment. We are deeply inspired by you, and we will be there every step of the way to cheer you on,” he said.
According to Johnston Busingye, Rwanda’s envoy to the United Kingdom, hosting these championships will leave a lasting legacy for Rwanda, from improved infrastructure and global visibility to increased tourism and new opportunities for local communities.
“It positions Rwanda as a growing hub for sport, diplomacy and international events, and it brings tangible benefits that will endure long after the final race has been run. I am deeply proud of how far Rwanda has come in making this dream a reality, as we have done with many other aspirations,” Busingye wrote in an opinion piece published in local media Thursday.
He underlined that the cycling event symbolizes not just where Rwanda is today, but where it is headed, a forward movement with hope, ambition and a spirit of unity.
“As we watch the world’s best cyclists compete, may we all be inspired by their courage and determination, and may this week remind us of the power of sport to bring nations together, build friendships and create lasting change,” he said.
The championships date back to 1921, when the Danish capital, Copenhagen, staged the first edition, featuring only one race: a men’s road event for amateurs.
KIGALI, Rwanda – Bantu Gazette
By James Tasamba
