The UCI Road World Championships 2025 gets underway from 21 to 28 September 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. It is for the first time that the continent of Africa will host the most prestigious road cycling competition of the world.
The championships will feature 13 events with five elite world titles up for grabs. For the first time, the women’s U23 rainbow jersey will be awarded after a standalone race rather than within the women’s elite road race.
The men’s road race will be headlined by Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian cycling star fresh off a historic fourth Tour de France victory. The reigning world champion has already proven he thrives in climbing-intensive courses, and Kigali’s high-altitude setting seems tailored to his talents.
His main rival? None other than Remco Evenepoel, Belgium’s Olympic champion and 2022 world champion. Known for his daring attacks and time-trial prowess, Evenepoel is expected to challenge both in the road race and the time trial.
In the women’s field, defending champion Lotte Kopecký absent had widely opened up the competition at UCI Road World Championships. Enter Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, France’s multi-discipline phenom who’s chasing her first road world title since 2014. The Olympic mountain bike champion has the climbing legs and race craft to win on this course.
Time Trials: Not Just About Aerodynamics
In the men’s TT, all eyes will again be on Evenepoel and Pogačar. The two have developed a thrilling rivalry, with each claiming world titles in the discipline. Yet others like Jay Vine (Australia), Stefan Küng (Switzerland), and Bruno Armirail (France) could spring a surprise on the hilly course.
In the women’s TT, Chloé Dygert (USA), a two-time world champion, is the rider to beat—if she’s healthy. Marlen Reusser (Switzerland), with three consecutive podiums, is determined to finally take the top step.
Farewells and Firsts
2025 will also mark a changing of the guard. With Australia’s Grace Brown now retired, she won’t defend her TT title or lead the country’s mixed team relay, which won gold in Zurich last year.
But there’s a new milestone for the women’s peloton: For the first time, the U23 women’s world champion will be crowned from a standalone race, not folded into the elite field.
Also Read: UCI Road World Championships: Team USA Roster Ft. Quinn Simmons
UCI Road World Championships 2025: Course details
| Event | Start / Finish | Distance | Elevation Gain | Key Climbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Elite Road Race | Kigali (Convention Centre) | 267.5 km | 5,475 m | – Côte de Kigali Golf: 0.8 km @ 8.1% (×16) – Côte de Kimihurura: 1.3 km @ 6.3% (×16) – Côte de Péage: 1.8 km @ 5.9% – Mont Kigali: 5.9 km @ 6.9% – Mur de Kigali: 0.4 km @ 11.0% |
| Women’s Elite Road Race | Kigali (Convention Centre) | 164.6 km | 3,350 m | – Côte de Kigali Golf: 0.8 km @ 8.1% (×11) – Côte de Kimihurura: 1.3 km @ 6.3% (×11) – Côte de Péage: 1.8 km @ 5.9% – Mont Kigali: 5.9 km @ 6.9% |
| Men’s Elite Time Trial | Kigali (BK Arena → Convention Centre) | 40.6 km | 680 m | – Côte de Nyanza: 2.5 km @ 5.8% – Côte de Nyanza: 6.6 km @ 3.5% – Côte de Péage: 2.0 km @ 6.0% – Côte de Kimihurura: 1.3 km @ 6.3% |
| Women’s Elite Time Trial | Kigali (BK Arena → Convention Centre) | 31.2 km | 460 m | – Côte de Nyanza: 2.5 km @ 5.8% – Côte de Nyanza: 4.1 km @ 3.1% – Côte de Kimihurura: 1.3 km @ 6.3% (cobbled) |
