Sema Fonkem 20/09/2025

Rwanda’s beloved Kigali makes history as the first African city to host the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI ) prestigious annual cycling event.

The UCI (known in English as the International Cyclist Union) Road World Championships event will take place from 21 to 28 September 2025.

Over the period of eight days, there will be 13 different events with a split between time trials and road races. The three age categories include junior, Under-23 and elite.

Representing Africa in the competition are Biniam Girmay Henok Mulubrhan, Nahom Zeray, Natnael Tesfatsion and Merhawi Kudus from Eritrea who are collaborating for the top 10 position. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio from South Africa will be riding with hopes for rainbow stripes.

Kimberley Le Court Pienaar of UCI Women’s WorldTeam AG Insurance–Soudal will once again be raising the flag of Mauritius. During the African Games held in Rabat, Morocco from 19 to 31 August 2019, she won a gold medal in Women’s cross-country marathon and a bronze in women’s cross-country Olympic event. She is the first African to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes 2025 after winning Stage 5 and taking the lead from Marianne Vos.

With Kigali sitting at 1500m above sea level, riders’ victory will mean a strong fight against very high altitudes.

The men’s road race includes about 5,500m climbing and it is the second highest amount in UCI Road World cycling Championship history over its 267.5km-long route. The elite women’s 164km course will be met with a 3,350m climbing.

During the cycling event, all schools, and major roads in Kigali will be closed. Companies with virtual capacity are encouraged to remotely.