The Kaipher Editorial Team 
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships will kick off on September 21 in Kigali, Rwanda, marking the first time cycling’s premier event has taken place on African soil since its 1921 inception. Spanning September 21–28, the championships promise some of the toughest racing in its 98-year history, headlined by a men’s road race featuring an unprecedented 5,475 meters of climbing over a 267.5-kilometer course (UCI).
Defending Champions Face Strong Competition
Belgian time-trial ace Remco Evenepoel arrives as the heavy favorite to secure his third consecutive world title in Sunday’s 40.6-km men’s individual time trial, which includes 680 meters of elevation gain. Evenepoel, who beat Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar by 16 seconds in a flat time trial earlier this year, has rebounded from a turbulent season—including a December crash and Tour withdrawal—to post strong form at the Tour of Britain (CyclingNews).
However, Pogačar remains Evenepoel’s biggest threat. The Slovenian double Grand Tour champion has tailored his preparation to the hilly Kigali course, which plays to his climbing prowess more than traditional flat time-trial routes. In the women’s event, American Chloé Dygert stands out as the clear favorite following the retirement of defending champion Grace Brown. Dygert, a two-time world time-trial champion, has selectively targeted races this season, typically competing only on courses that suit her strengths.
Notable Absences Thin Elite Fields
Several high-profile withdrawals have thinned the elite fields. Two-time women’s road race champion Lotte Kopecky pulled out early this month, citing mental fatigue and form issues after an injury-marred season. Former world champion Mathieu van der Poel opted for mountain biking over road defense, while Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert, Kristen Faulkner, and Matteo Jorgenson also withdrew. Concerns over travel costs and regional security—stemming from conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo—led federations such as Denmark and the Netherlands to send reduced squads (CyclingWeekly).
African Debut Promises Historic Racing
Despite depleted start lists, Rwanda’s hosting heralds a milestone for African cycling. Kim Le Court of Mauritius—who made history as the first African to don the Tour de France Femmes’ yellow jersey—called it “an unimagined honor” to compete on home continent soil. The hilly courses, combined with Kigali’s 1,850-meter altitude, offer dramatic potential for upset victories.
Australia’s Jay Vine, fresh off two stage wins and the mountains jersey at the Vuelta a España, emerges as a dark-horse in both time trial and road race. For the men’s road race on September 28, Pogačar enters as overwhelming favorite, his 2025 dominance—two Grand Tour wins and multiple Classics—making him hard to beat on a course tailor-made for his climbing and attacking flair.
Racing opens Sunday with the women’s elite time trial at 10:10 local time, followed by the men’s at 13:45.
