Kigali 2025: Cycling’s First World Championships in Africa

From September 21 to 28, 2025, the world of cycling turns its eyes to Kigali, Rwanda — the first African city ever to host the UCI Road World Championships. UCI Kigali 2025+2Wikipedia+2 This is more than just a sporting event; it’s a milestone in cycling’s global reach and a chance for Africa to showcase its growth in the sport.

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📜 A Milestone Moment

• The 2025 edition is the 98th UCI Road World Championships, but the first to be held on the African continent. Wikipedia+2UCI Kigali 2025+2

• Kigali was chosen as the host city, marking a dramatic shift in the tradition of cycling’s world stage. Velo+3UCI Kigali 2025+3Wikipedia+3

• The event includes 13 titles: road races, individual time trials, and a mixed team time trial relay, across elite, under-23, and junior categories. Wikipedia+2Velo+2

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🏔️ The Course: Brutal, Beautiful & Unique

Kigali’s terrain promises to push riders to their limits:

• The elite men’s road race will cover 267.5 km and include 5,475 meters of climbing, making it one of the toughest in the modern era. Cyclingnews+3Wikipedia+3UCI+3

• The elite women’s road race spans 164.6 km with around 3,350 meters of elevation. Cyclingnews+1

• Course features include cobbled sections, steep climbs (e.g. Mur du Kigali), and high altitude. Kigali sits at over 1,500 meters above sea level, adding another layer of challenge. Cyclingnews+3Wikipedia+3Velo+3

• Time trials begin at BK Arena and finish at the Kigali Convention Centre, with varying distances per category. UCI Kigali 2025+3Cyclingnews+3Wikipedia+3