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2025 UCI Road World Championships will make history this September, as Kigali, Rwanda becomes the first African city to host the prestigious event. From 21 to 28 September, fans will witness an action-packed week featuring 13 events across multiple categories, including the much-anticipated men’s and women’s elite road races and time trials.
With star-studded lineups and some of the toughest race courses in the event’s history, the Kigali edition promises to be one of the most exciting championships yet.
A historic first for Africa
For the first time, the UCI Road World Championships will unfold on African soil. Kigali’s demanding terrain, featuring brutal climbs and technical descents, sets the stage for riders to showcase endurance, power, and tactical brilliance.
This year also introduces a standalone women’s U23 road race, awarding its first-ever rainbow jersey independent of the women’s elite category.
Key races and course details
Men’s Elite Road Race
Distance: 267.5 km
Elevation gain: 5,475 m
Key climbs include the Côte de Kigali Golf (0.8 km at 8.1%), Mont Kigali (5.9 km at 6.9%), and the punishing Mur de Kigali (0.4 km at 11%).
Women’s Elite Road Race
Distance: 164.6 km
Elevation gain: 3,350 m
The course mirrors much of the men’s challenge, with equally grueling ascents, making it a true test of stamina and climbing ability.
Elite Time Trials
Men’s: 40.6 km with 680 m elevation gain
Women’s: 31.2 km with 460 m elevation gain
The routes include multiple testing climbs like Côte de Nyanza and Côte de Kimihurura, demanding both explosive power and sustained effort.
Cyclists to watch out for
Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia): Fresh off his fourth Tour de France title, the reigning men’s road race champion is the hot favorite, particularly with the mountainous profile suiting his style.
Remco Evenepoel (Belgium): The reigning time trial world champion and former road race champion remains Pogacar’s biggest rival. Their head-to-head battles are among the most anticipated in cycling.
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (France): Olympic mountain bike champion aiming for her first road world title in over a decade.
Chloe Dygert (USA): Two-time world time trial champion seeking another gold, with Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser her main challenger.
Outsiders to watch: Britain’s Tom Pidcock, Italy’s Giulio Ciccone, and Mexico’s rising star Isaac Del Toro in the men’s field, while Demi Vollering (Netherlands) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy) add depth to the women’s competition.
Full schedule (local Rwanda time – CAT)
Sunday 21 September: Women Elite ITT (10:10–12:55), Men Elite ITT (13:45–16:50)
Monday 22 September: Women U23 ITT, Men U23 ITT
Tuesday 23 September: Women Junior ITT, Men Junior ITT
Wednesday 24 September: Team Time Trial Mixed Relay
Thursday 25 September: Women U23 Road Race
Friday 26 September: Men Junior Road Race, Men U23 Road Race
Saturday 27 September: Women Junior Road Race, Women Elite Road Race
Sunday 28 September: Men Elite Road Race
How to watch the 2025 UCI World Road Championships
UK: TNT Sports, Discovery+, BBC (TV, Red Button, iPlayer)
USA & Canada: FloBikes
Europe: Eurosport, HBO Max, plus France TV (France), TVE (Spain), RAI (Italy), VRT (Belgium), TV2 (Norway & Denmark), NOS (Netherlands)
Australia: Stan Sport
Fans worldwide can expect wall-to-wall coverage of what promises to be a landmark edition of the UCI World Road Championships.
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