KIGALI, Rwanda – The 2025 UCI Cycling World Championships, the highly anticipated season-ending event, will make history from September 21-28 by being held in Africa for the very first time. The world’s best cyclists will descend upon Kigali, Rwanda, competing in the nation known as “the land of a thousand hills.”
While the significant logistical challenges and high costs have forced some national teams to make difficult choices regarding their participation, a strong field of elite riders is still expected. The high altitude of Rwanda, where the entire country sits over 1,000 meters above sea level, could be a decisive factor and lead to some surprising results.
Defending men’s champion Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia) will start as the overwhelming favorite to retain his rainbow stripes, buoyed by an incredibly dominant season. The women’s race, however, will see a new champion crowned, as two-time title holder Lotte Kopecky will not be present.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 World Championships.
The Complete Schedule (All times local, Central Africa Time – CAT)
The event kicks off with a week of time trials before culminating in the prestigious road races.
Sunday, September 21
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10:10 AM: Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial (31.2 km, +460m elevation gain)
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1:45 PM: Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial (40.6 km, +680m)
Monday, September 22
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10:35 AM: Women’s U23 Individual Time Trial (22.6 km, +350m)
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1:35 PM: Men’s U23 Individual Time Trial (31.2 km, +460m)
Tuesday, September 23
- 10:45 AM: Women’s Junior Individual Time Trial (18.3 km, +225m)
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2:00 PM: Men’s Junior Individual Time Trial (22.6 km, +350m)
Wednesday, September 24
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12:30 PM: Mixed Team Relay (41.8 km, +740m)
Thursday, September 25
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1:05 PM: Women’s U23 Road Race (119.3 km, +2,435m)
Friday, September 26
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8:00 AM: Men’s Junior Road Race (119.3 km, +2,435m)
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12:00 PM: Men’s U23 Road Race (164.6 km, +3,350m)
Saturday, September 27
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8:20 AM: Women’s Junior Road Race (74 km, +1,520m)
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12:05 PM: Women’s Elite Road Race (164.6 km, +3,350m)
Sunday, September 28
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9:45 AM: Men’s Elite Road Race (267.5 km, +5,475m)
The Favorites for the Rainbow Jersey
Women’s Elite Road Race:
With the absence of defending champion Lotte Kopecky, the race is wide open. Three key names emerge from the start list:
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Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France): The recent Tour de France winner will be the headline act for the French team. She will be well-supported by strong teammates like Juliette Labous, Cédrine Kerbaol, and Évita Muzic.
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Demi Vollering (Netherlands): Leading the strongest collective team, Vollering has been circling a world title for years. A key question will be whether her great rival, Anna van der Breggen, will work for her, as Dutch tactics at the Worlds are often unpredictable.
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Kim Le Court (Mauritius): The spring winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège could be a surprise package. The challenging, explosive course in Kigali suits her qualities perfectly.
Men’s Elite Road Race:
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The immense favorite is Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia). The defending champion has been in a class of his own all season. His recent second place at the Grand Prix de Montréal, where he gifted the win to teammate Brandon McNulty, showed he is in peak form.
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For the remaining podium spots, Remco Evenepoel (Belgium), Jay Vine (Australia), and Juan Ayuso (Spain) are expected to be in contention for a medal.
The 2025 World Championships promise to be a unique and thrilling chapter in cycling history.
