The 2025 UCI Road Cycling World Championships are set to mark a historic milestone as the prestigious event heads to Africa for the very first time. Scheduled to take place this September in Kigali, Rwanda, the race will feature a demanding course stretching 267.5 kilometers and featuring over 5,000 meters of climbing. With such a challenging route, the competition is expected to attract top-tier cyclists from across the globe.
Samson Ndayishimiye, President of the Rwandan Cycling Federation, expressed pride and optimism about the upcoming event. “It’s the biggest event in the cycling world,” Ndayishimiye told Cyclingnews. “For me as the President of the Federation, and for the Federation, the country, and the continent, it’s a pleasure.” He also emphasized Rwanda’s strong partnership with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), stating, “We appreciate the good relationship we have with the UCI and the rest of the world for giving us this opportunity and trusting us to deliver.”
Looking beyond the event itself, the UCI hopes the World Championships will leave a lasting legacy not only in Rwanda but throughout Central Africa. One of the key legacy projects is the establishment of a World Cycling Centre in Kigali. “In February, we opened the UCI satellite, the second one on the continent of Africa,” Ndayishimiye noted. “It’s a good opportunity not only for the riders but also for everybody else involved – commissaires, coaches, mechanics. All of that is part of the legacy we are looking at.”
Despite the excitement, the event has not been universally embraced. Some national cycling federations, including Denmark, the Netherlands, and Ireland, have expressed concerns about the high costs associated with travel and logistics, indicating they will send smaller delegations. Ndayishimiye responded by highlighting the inherent costs of the sport regardless of location. “To be honest, I think realistically our sport is an expensive sport wherever we go,” he said, pointing out that previous championships have been held in far-off locations such as Australia. “Now it’s just around the corner. Most of the countries in Europe have a chance to just jump on a plane, on a non-stop plane.”
He further addressed concerns by assuring participants of fair pricing and easy travel logistics. “With the negativity, I think it’s the unknown. It’s the first time on the continent. We guarantee everyone that we are fair on the prices,” he stated. “Travel-wise, it should be easy for everyone. I can confirm that many countries have already booked their hotels – confirmed. Even Belgium has just confirmed that they’re coming down with the whole team. That should show that everyone has done their homework and they’re happy with where we are in the organisation.”
Concerns about regional instability have also surfaced, particularly in light of the civil conflict in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Ndayishimiye was quick to reassure the international community about Rwanda’s stability. “First of all, I’m in sport. So everything that is going on is nothing to do with me,” he explained. “One thing for sure though, the UCI has confirmed that the World Championships is taking place in Rwanda. It’s safe, it’s a safe country.”
With preparations well underway, Rwanda stands poised to make cycling history, not only by hosting the sport’s most prestigious road racing event but also by laying the foundation for a deeper and more sustainable cycling culture across Africa.
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