Publication date: 25 Jul 2025
About the UCI Road World Championships
The UCI Road World Championships is the official annual event in road cycling, organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Cyclists compete for their national teams, not their professional teams, except in team time trials.
Official Cycling Championships website
Where Will the 2025 Road Cycling World Championships Take Place?
In 2025, the UCI Road World Championships will be held from September 21 to 28 in Kigali, Rwanda. This will be the 98th edition of the tournament and the first ever hosted on the African continent — a historic moment for cycling development in Africa and a major step in UCI’s global expansion.
A Demanding Course in Kigali
The championship route runs through Kigali’s hilly terrain, featuring steep climbs and technical sections. Organizers say this will be one of the most demanding courses in the event’s history. Full schedules and track maps are available on the official UCI website.
Key Participants and Top Contenders
The strongest riders in the world are expected to compete in Kigali:
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Tadej Pogačar
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Remco Evenepoel
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Wout van Aert
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Mads Pedersen
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Primož Roglič — all are major contenders for the elite men’s title.
Among the women, top favorites include:
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Lotte Kopecky
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Marlen Reusser
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Annemiek van Vleuten (if confirmed).
A record number of nations is expected to participate, including expanded African squads along with national teams from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Why Kigali 2025 Is So Important
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali are more than a sporting event — they represent a breakthrough for African cycling. The tournament will help grow local infrastructure, highlight African talent, and inspire the next generation of cyclists across the continent.
History of the UCI Road World Championships
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The first professional UCI Road World Championship took place in 1927 at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit and was won by Alfredo Binda of Italy.
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Soviet athletes joined in 1954 after the USSR Cycling Federation became a UCI member.
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The first women’s championship was held in 1958.
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Since 1994, the event has included individual time trials for both men and women.
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Starting in 2023, a combined UCI World Cycling Championships is held every four years, bringing together 13 cycling disciplines — first hosted in Glasgow.
Results of the previous Championships
| The year | Venue | Results |
| 2024 | Zurich, Switzerland | Gold:
Men’s road race – Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia); Men’s time trial – Remco Evenepoel (Belgium); Women’s road race – Lotte Kopecky (Belgium); Women’s time trial – Grace Brown(Australia). |
| 2023 | Glasgow, Scotland | Gold:
Men’s road race – Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands); Men’s time trial – Remco Evenepoel (Belgium); Women’s road race – Lotte Kopecky (Belgium); Women’s time trial – Chloe Digert (USA). |
| 2022 | Wollongong, Australia | Gold:
Men’s road race – Remco Evenepoel (Belgium); Men’s time trial – Tobias Foss (Norway); Women’s road race – Annemiek van Vleuten (Netherlands); Women’s time trial – Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands). |
2026 UCI Road World Championships
In 2026, the World Cup will celebrate its 99th edition. It will be held from September 20 to 27, 2026 in Montreal. This event will be the second World Championship visit to Canada after Hamilton in 2003.
Keep an eye on the dates of cycling championships and other events on our Sports Events Calendar.
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