Author: Wycliffe Nyamasege

The competition saw Söderqvist dominate the course, finishing more than a minute ahead of New Zealand’s Nate Pringle, who took home the silver, and France’s Maxime Decomble, who secured the bronze.

At just 22 years old, Söderqvist’s victory marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. He posted a remarkable time of 38:24.43, averaging 48.741 km/h on the 31.2 km course.

Racing for Lidl-Trek Future Racing, Söderqvist had his eyes set on this event all year. His gold medal in Kigali marked the culmination of an intense season of preparation, and he was overjoyed with the achievement.

“This is the one thing in the U23 category that I care about the most, so it was preparations all year round to make this one as good as possible,” he said after the race.

The win in Rwanda was a personal milestone for Söderqvist, who had previously earned silver in Zurich (2024) and placed seventh in Stirling (2023). This victory, however, propels him into the elite ranks of U23 time trialists and solidifies his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.

{{A strong silver for Pringle
}}

New Zealand’s Nate Pringle had an impressive showing in his first World Championships, earning the silver medal with a time of 39:28.39, just 1:03.96 behind Söderqvist.

The 2025 national under-23 time trial champion, Pringle demonstrated his strength and potential, finishing ahead of some of the most accomplished riders in the field. His solid performance throughout the season, including a 7th-place finish in the general classification at the Sibiu Cycling Tour earlier this year, confirms his rising prominence in the world of cycling.

{{Decomble’s narrow defeat for silver
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Maxime Decomble, the French national under-23 time trial champion, was just a fraction away from claiming silver. With a time of 39:28.56, Decomble finished 0.17 seconds behind Pringle, taking the bronze.

Despite the razor-thin margin, Decomble’s third-place finish was a testament to his skill and determination. The 2024 French champion has consistently been a strong competitor, with top results in the Tour de l’Avenir and Alpes Isère Tour.

{{The top performers in the U23 time trial
}}

The top 10 finishers in the Men’s U23 Individual Time Trial at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships were as follows:

1. Jakob Söderqvist (Sweden) – 38:24.43

2. Nate Pringle (New Zealand) – 39:28.39 (+1:03.96)

3. Maxime Decomble (France) – 39:28.56 (+1:04.13)

4. Lorenzo Mark Finn (Italy) – 39:33.06 (+1:08.63)

5. Callum Thornley (Great Britain) – 39:36.34 (+1:11.91)

6. Jonas Walton (Canada) – 39:51.34 (+1:26.91)

7. Mateusz Gajdulewicz (Poland) – 39:52.81 (+1:28.38)

8. Jonathan Vervenne (Belgium) – 39:57.53 (+1:33.10)

9. Héctor Álvarez Martínez (Spain) – 40:04.62 (+1:40.19)

10. Hamish McKenzie (Australia) – 40:12.79 (+1:48.36)

{{How Rwandan riders performed
}}

Two Rwandan riders, Samuel Niyonkuru and Etienne Tuyizere, took part in the U23 time trial, representing their nation at home in Kigali. Niyonkuru finished in 28th place with a time of 43:15.35, while Tuyizere secured 30th place with a time of 43:36.51.

Though they didn’t place near the top, both riders showed remarkable spirit and perseverance, competing on one of the sport’s grandest stages.

With a dominant performance on the 22.6 km course, Bäckstedt clocked an impressive 30:56.16, securing not only the gold medal but also the coveted Rainbow Jersey. Her victory marks a milestone in women’s cycling as the U23 category was given its own dedicated race for the first time in the event’s history.

“I gave it everything I could. My legs didn’t feel 100%, so I was just giving everything I could with what I had in the tank today. So I’m really happy to have such a gap at the end,” she remarked after her victory.

Reflecting on the challenging course, she remarked: “The cobble climb just before the finish was really brutal, really super hard. I knew it was possible to gain some time there but also to lose time if something went wrong. So I had to make sure I had enough energy left at the end to go up this climb as fast as possible.”

The 20-year-old’s triumph capped off a remarkable season, adding this prestigious title to her already impressive list of accomplishments, including the 2025 National ITT Championship.

Slovakia’s Viktória Chladoňová secured the silver medal with a time of 32:47.01, just 1:50.85 behind Bäckstedt.

Federica Venturelli of Italy rounded out the top three with a solid bronze medal performance, finishing in 33:07.74.

Competing on home turf, Rwandan cyclists Martha Ntakirutimana and Claudette Nyirarukundo also took to the course in the Women’s U23 Time Trial. Despite facing a challenging route, both showed incredible resilience and determination. Ntakirutimana finished 27th with a time of 36:27.39, while Nyirarukundo took 32nd place with a time of 37:14.33.

{{Women Under 23 Individual Time Trial – Top 10 results
}}

1. Zoe Bäckstedt (Great Britain) – 30:56.16
2. Viktória Chladoňová (Slovakia) – 32:47.01 (+1:50.85)
3. Federica Venturelli (Italy) – 33:07.74 (+2:11.58)
4. Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Australia) – 33:17.91 (+2:21.75)
5. Alena Ivanchenko (Australia) – 33:18.60 (+2:22.44)
6. Millie Couzens (Great Britain) – 33:33.74 (+2:37.58)
7. Justyna Czapla (Germany) – 33:43.76 (+2:47.60)
8. Alli Anderson (Australia) – 33:49.22 (+2:53.06)
9. Tabea Huys (Austria) – 33:55.68 (+2:59.52)
10. Ava Holmgren (Canada) – 34:01.92 (+3:05.76)

The championships kicked off on Sunday, September 21, 2025, with both elite men and women showcasing their strength, precision, and determination.

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel set the bar high in the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, producing a blistering performance that earned him his third Rainbow Jersey in the discipline. His display of power and precision further elevated the stakes for the competitors across all categories.

Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser made history by claiming her first-ever rainbow jersey in the Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial, proving her elite status in the sport.

The 25-year-old star completed the 40.6-kilometre route in 49:46.03, averaging an impressive 48.9 km/h. His performance reaffirmed his dominance against the clock and ensured Belgium’s flag flew highest on the opening weekend of competition.

Evenepoel’s ride was a test of both physical strength and mental resilience, as Kigali’s steep climbs and cobbled sections pushed every rider to the limit.

“It felt pretty good right away on the first flat part; I could feel my legs turning. I held my pace without going over the limit. The first climb of the day was quite hard, along with the last two, so I really pushed it there,” he reflected on the effort required to secure gold.

“After that, I saw I had a big gap, so I kept a pace I could sustain until the bottom and then went flat out on every climb. I must say, the cobbles were brutal—I hated them at some point. It was so hard to push through them toward the end, but winning was the most important thing,” he added.

{{Vine takes silver, Van Wilder bronze
}}

Australia’s Jay Vine rode strongly to secure the silver medal, clocking 51:00.83 — over a minute behind Evenepoel, but still clear of the chasing pack. The bronze went to Evenepoel’s compatriot Ilan van Wilder, who stopped the clock at 52:22.10, giving Belgium two riders on the podium in Kigali.

{{Pogačar and Del Toro in the mix
}}

Pre-race favourite Tadej Pogačar, fresh from his fourth Tour de France title earlier this summer, had to settle for a disappointing fourth on his birthday. The Slovenian finished in 52:23.76, narrowly missing a medal. Rising Mexican sensation Isaac Del Toro followed closely in fifth with 52:26.89, adding another strong result to his breakout season.

Dutch rider Thymen Arensman, considered a podium contender, placed ninth in 53:25.71, while Swiss specialist Stefan Küng completed the top ten.

Rwanda’s cycling fans had plenty to cheer as two local riders lined up in the world championship field of 54 participants. Shemu Nsengiyumva delivered a spirited ride to take 25th place in 56:41.13, while Moise Mugisha came home 31st in 58:40.67

{{Men elite individual time trial – top 10 results
}}

1. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) – 49:46.03

2. Jay Vine (AUS) – 51:00.83 (+1:14.80)

3. Ilan van Wilder (BEL) – 52:22.10 (+2:36.07)

4. Tadej Pogačar (SLO) – 52:23.76 (+2:37.73)

5. Isaac Del Toro (MEX) – 52:26.89 (+2:40.86)

6. Andreas Leknessund (NOR) – 52:43.30 (+2:57.27)

7. Lucas Plapp (AUS) – 52:49.37 (+3:03.34)

8. Bruno Armirail (FRA) – 52:52.10 (+3:06.07)

9. Thymen Arensman (NED) – 53:25.71 (+3:39.68)

10. Stefan Küng (SUI) – 53:34.95 (+3:48.92)

Racing a 31.2-kilometre course through the Rwandan capital, Reusser delivered a dominant ride, clocking 43 minutes 09 seconds at an average speed of 43.3 km/h. She finished nearly a minute ahead of Dutch veteran Anna van der Breggen, who took silver, with her compatriot Demi Vollering securing bronze.

The win marked a career milestone for Reusser, who celebrated her 34th birthday a day earlier. After taking silver in 2020 and 2021 and bronze in 2022, she finally stood on the top step to wear the rainbow stripes.

“I tried so many times… It makes me so happy that I can achieve this — both for myself and for the whole group around me. I am really full of love for these people,” she said with a beaming smile.

For the home crowd, there was special pride as Rwandan riders Xaveline Nirere and Diane Ingabire lined up in the time trial, representing Rwanda with determination. Nirere completed the 31.2 km course in a time of 50:07.67, while Ingabire finished in 52:57.79. Though outside of medal contention, their participation drew huge cheers along the route.

{{Women elite individual time trial – top 10 riders
}}

1. Marlen Reusser (SUI) – 43:09.34

2. Anna van der Breggen (NED) – 44:01.23 (+51.89)

3. Demi Vollering (NED) – 44:14.07 (+1:04.73)

4. Brodie Chapman (AUS) – 44:30.21 (+1:20.87)

5. Katrine Aalerud (NOR) – 44:33.68 (+1:24.34)

6. Antonia Niedermaier (GER) – 44:38.41 (+1:29.07)

7. Juliette Labous (FRA) – 44:42.33 (+1:32.99)

8. Anna Henderson (GBR) – 44:47.06 (+1:37.72)

9. Chloe Dygert (USA) – 45:34.77 (+2:25.43)

10. Mireia Benito Pellicer (ESP) – 45:41.39 (+2:32.05)

{{Rwanda’s debut on the world stage
}}

The Kigali championships are the 98th edition of the UCI Road World Championships, but the first ever to be staged in Africa. Over the next eight days, more than 900 riders from 110 nations will compete in 13 races across the city’s steep hills and valleys, with elevation gains reaching 5,400 metres.

At the opening ceremony inside BK Arena, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire welcomed the riders and spectators, calling the event a historic moment for the nation.

“This is going to be a special week with the best riders in the world riding across Kigali’s hills and valleys,” she said. “I’m really honoured to welcome the 110 nations, 996 riders, and all the visitors joining us in this historic moment.”

UCI President David Lappartient also hailed Rwanda’s achievement in hosting the championships.

“Without the vision of President Paul Kagame, without our shared vision, it would have been impossible,” he said. “We are so proud to be here for the first time ever.”

The event was inaugurated by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, who welcomed participants and highlighted the unique opportunity the championship presents.

“This is going to be a special week with the best riders in the world riding across Kigali’s hills and valleys, facing a challenge up to 5,400 metres of elevation. I’m really honoured to welcome the 110 nations, 996 riders, and all the visitors joining us in this historic moment,” she said.

The minister also highlighted a first for the event: the inclusion of the women’s under-23 road race.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it’s happening in Kigali. Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, women’s empowerment has been part of Rwanda’s exemplary leadership. I am a woman, and I am a product of this leadership. Let’s give him a round of applause.”

UCI President David Lappartient praised President Paul Kagame for his leadership, noting that Rwanda’s efforts made it possible for the championship to be hosted in Africa for the first time.

“Without his vision, without our vision, it would have been impossible, and we are so proud to be here for the first time ever,” Lappartient said.

“And here, in the country of a thousand hills, it means it’s not flat. It will be hard—probably the hardest UCI World Championship ever—but probably also the most crowded UCI World Championship ever,” he added.

He also highlighted the global exposure the event will bring to Rwanda.

“You will show your country, and you will show cycling to the whole world. These different races will be televised in 130 countries, live worldwide. That means millions, even hundreds of millions of people worldwide will see, will discover, and will witness your passion, and the beauty of your country and your city.”

This edition of the championship is historic, featuring over 900 cyclists from more than 100 countries competing across 13 races over eight days. The 2025 event marks the 98th Cycling World Championships and the 12th time it has been held outside Europe.

The competition opened with the women’s individual time trial, a 31.2-kilometre race where each cyclist rides alone against the clock.