{"id":55699,"date":"2025-09-21T12:20:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T12:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/minister-mukazayire-uci-president-open-2025-cycling-world-championships-in\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T10:31:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T10:31:25","slug":"minister-mukazayire-uci-president-open-2025-cycling-world-championships-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/minister-mukazayire-uci-president-open-2025-cycling-world-championships-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Minister Mukazayire, UCI president open 2025 Cycling World Championships in Kigali"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The event was inaugurated by Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, who welcomed participants and highlighted the unique opportunity the championship presents. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is going to be a special week with the best riders in the world riding across Kigali\u2019s hills and valleys, facing a challenge up to 5,400 metres of elevation. I\u2019m really honoured to welcome the 110 nations, 996 riders, and all the visitors joining us in this historic moment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>The minister also highlighted a first for the event: the inclusion of the women\u2019s under-23 road race. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s a coincidence that it\u2019s happening in Kigali. Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, women\u2019s empowerment has been part of Rwanda\u2019s exemplary leadership. I am a woman, and I am a product of this leadership. Let\u2019s give him a round of applause.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>UCI President David Lappartient praised President Paul Kagame for his leadership, noting that Rwanda\u2019s efforts made it possible for the championship to be hosted in Africa for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout his vision, without our vision, it would have been impossible, and we are so proud to be here for the first time ever,\u201d Lappartient said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd here, in the country of a thousand hills, it means it\u2019s not flat. It will be hard\u2014probably the hardest UCI World Championship ever\u2014but probably also the most crowded UCI World Championship ever,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p>He also highlighted the global exposure the event will bring to Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The competition opened with the women\u2019s individual time trial, a 31.2-kilometre race where each cyclist rides alone against the clock.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94816 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18929_25092110264193128.jpg\" alt=\"The event was inaugurated by Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, who welcomed participants and highlighted the unique opportunity the championship presents. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94845 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18929_25092110264112839.jpg\" alt=\"UCI President David Lappartient praised President Paul Kagame for his leadership, noting that Rwanda\u2019s efforts made it possible for the championship to be hosted in Africa for the first time.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94841 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18925_25092110131613829.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94828 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18937_25092111140481239.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94827 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18937_25092111140482913.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94826 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18938_25092111235339821.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94825 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18938_25092111235331289.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94824 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18938_25092111235338219.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94823 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374129381.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94822 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18938_25092111235313829.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94821 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374132198.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94820 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374119238.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94819 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374121938.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94818 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374121983.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94817 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18939_25092111374139812.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94829 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18936_25092111074519283.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94830 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18936_25092111074591823.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94831 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18936_25092111084392138.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94833 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18936_25092111084393182.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94834 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425223819.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94835 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425212389.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94836 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425298312.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94837 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425229183.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94838 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425292831.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94839 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18933_25092110425283912.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94840 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18925_25092109492798312.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94842 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18925_25092109492712398.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94843 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18925_25092109492713928.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94844 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18925_25092109492789321.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94848 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18941_25092111534183921.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94849 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18941_25092111534189321.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-94850 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_18941_25092111534119382.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kigali officially kicked off the 2025 Cycling World Championships on Sunday, September 21, with a grand opening ceremony at BK Arena attended by UCI officials, government representatives, and local spectators.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000094847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-55699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default 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