A landmark moment for international cycling is set to occur as Rwanda prepares to host the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first time the prestigious event will be held in Africa since its inception in 1921.
The eight-day competition will feature 13 events across time trials and road races, ensuring gender parity in the junior, Under-23, and elite categories.
For athletes like Kim Le Court, the first African to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France Femmes, competing is a profoundly special opportunity to represent the continent and demonstrate that riders from smaller nations belong on the world’s biggest stages.
The hosting decision has spurred a continent-wide effort, with Africa’s 54 cycling federations preparing young riders to ensure strong African participation. While around 150 African men and women currently compete professionally, the challenging, hilly topography of Rwanda—known as the “land of a thousand hills”—will present a unique test that may not suit all of the continent’s top stars. Nonetheless, the event marks a significant step forward for African cycling, showcasing its growing presence and ambition on the global scene.