{"id":55781,"date":"2025-09-28T17:31:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T17:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/back-to-back-glory-as-pogacar-wins-gold-at-uci-world-championships-in-kigali\/"},"modified":"2025-09-30T11:15:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T11:15:23","slug":"back-to-back-glory-as-pogacar-wins-gold-at-uci-world-championships-in-kigali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/back-to-back-glory-as-pogacar-wins-gold-at-uci-world-championships-in-kigali\/","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-back glory as Poga\u010dar wins gold at UCI World Championships in Kigali"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar etched his name even deeper into cycling history on Sunday, delivering a breathtaking performance to secure back-to-back world road race titles at the UCI World Championships in Rwanda\u2019s capital. <\/p>\n<p>The Slovenian superstar rode with daring and dominance, launching a decisive attack on Mount Kigali more than 100km from the finish and holding off every chase to claim the rainbow jersey for a second year running.<\/p>\n<p>{{Fast and furious from the gun<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>The 267.5km men\u2019s elite road race, with almost 6,000m of climbing, wasted no time erupting into action. Grenada\u2019s Red Walters sparked early excitement, but his breakaway quickly dissolved as Germany\u2019s Marius Mayrhofer, Denmark\u2019s Anders Foldanger, the Netherlands\u2019 Menno Huising, Portugal\u2019s Ivo Oliveira and Switzerland\u2019s Fabio Christen formed a new lead group.<\/p>\n<p>France, sensing danger, turned up the heat with Julian Alaphilippe attacking and Julien Bernard bridging across. Spain\u2019s Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna soon joined them, but behind, Slovenia and Belgium, home to favourites Poga\u010dar and Remco Evenepoel, kept the peloton measured and steady.<\/p>\n<p>{{Crashes disrupt the chase<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>The furious early pace began to take a toll on the peloton. Britain\u2019s Bjorn Koerdt, Spain\u2019s Marc Soler and Belgium\u2019s Ilan Van Wilder, a crucial helper for Evenepoel, were all forced to abandon after crashes, disrupting the chase and momentarily slowing the bunch. Belgium and Slovenia quickly regrouped, trimming the break\u2019s lead back to 2:30 as the race approached its pivotal phase.<\/p>\n<p>By the time riders swung onto a new 42.5km loop featuring the towering Mount Kigali and the fearsome cobbled Mur de Kigali, the gap had shrunk to 1:35, and the tension was building.<\/p>\n<p>{{Poga\u010dar lights up Mount Kigali<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>The day\u2019s defining moment came on the steep ramps of Mount Kigali. Julien Bernard crested alone, but just behind, Poga\u010dar surged with trademark power, catching Bernard and taking Spain\u2019s Juan Ayuso and Mexico\u2019s Isaac Del Toro with him.<\/p>\n<p>On the bone-rattling Mur de Kigali, Ayuso cracked and slid back, leaving Poga\u010dar and Del Toro as the last men standing up front. With 90km remaining, they held just 44 seconds over a disorganised peloton struggling to find rhythm.<\/p>\n<p>{{Evenepoel\u2019s troubles, Poga\u010dar\u2019s freedom<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>Belgium\u2019s hopes wavered when Evenepoel was forced into two costly bike changes, visibly frustrated as precious seconds ticked away. At the head of the race, Del Toro began to fade, and once back on the city circuit, Poga\u010dar struck out alone.<\/p>\n<p>A spirited chase tried to form, Ireland\u2019s Ben Healey linking with Denmark\u2019s Mikkel Honor\u00e9 and France\u2019s Pavel Sivakov, and briefly cut the gap to 35 seconds. But the Slovenian\u2019s tempo proved unmatchable. Their move died, the peloton splintered, and Poga\u010dar\u2019s lead stretched past a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel, refusing to surrender, attacked late to salvage silver, but the victory was long gone.<\/p>\n<p>After 6 hours, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds of racing, Poga\u010dar crossed the line alone, arms wide in triumph, as Kigali\u2019s fans roared in celebration. Evenepoel took second at +1:28, and Ben Healy powered to Ireland\u2019s first men\u2019s elite road race medal in years, finishing +2:16 behind.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was chasing this for the whole year\u2026 I am so happy to retain this beautiful jersey. It\u2019s been an amazing last few days, an incredible experience, I am super happy and super proud of this week,\u201d said Tadej Poga\u010dar, proud to defend his crown in Kigali.<\/p>\n<p>Poga\u010dar\u2019s victory cements him as the first rider ever to win the Tour de France and world road race title in consecutive years, confirming his place among cycling\u2019s all-time greats. <\/p>\n<p>{{Rwanda\u2019s brave but painful day<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>For the home nation, it was a race of pride and heartbreak. Rwanda fielded six riders \u2014 Nsengiyumva Shemu, Manizabayo Eric, Muhoza Eric, Masengesho Vainqueur, Byukusenge Patrick, and Nkundabera Eric \u2014 each cheered passionately on the punishing climbs. One by one, though, they slipped out of contention, victims of the unrelenting gradients and brutal race tempo.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 165 starters, just 30 made it to the finish. Eritrea\u2019s Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier was the final man across the line and the sole African to survive to the end.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday&#8217;s race marked a thrilling conclusion to the weeklong UCI World Championships in Kigali, the first ever held in Africa. The event drew global attention and showcased Rwanda\u2019s growing reputation as a premier cycling destination.<\/p>\n<p>The closing ceremony was attended by President Paul Kagame, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, and UCI President David Lappartient, who presented medals to the finalists.<\/p>\n<p>{{Men\u2019s Elite Road Race: Top 10 Results<br \/>\n}}<\/p>\n<p>Tadej Poga\u010dar (SLO) \u2014 6:21:20<\/p>\n<p>Remco Evenepoel (BEL): + 1:28<\/p>\n<p>Ben Healy (IRL): + 2:16<\/p>\n<p>Mattias Skjelmose (DEN): + 2:53<\/p>\n<p>Toms Skuji\u0146\u0161 (LAT): + 6:41<\/p>\n<p>Giulio Ciccone (ITA): + 6:47<\/p>\n<p>Isaac Del Toro Romero (MEX): + 6:47<\/p>\n<p>Juan Ayuso Pesquera (ESP): + 6:47<\/p>\n<p>Afonso Eulalio (POR): + 7:06<\/p>\n<p>Thomas Pidcock (GBR): + 9:05<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95324 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125881239.jpg\" alt=\"Slovenia\u2019s cycling superstar Tadej Poga\u010dar defended his world title in style, powering to victory in the Men\u2019s Elite Road Race at the UCI World Championships in Kigali. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95326 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125898321.jpg\" alt=\"Belgium\u2019s Remco Evenepoel had to overcome mechanical problems and multiple bike changes but still battled his way to the silver medal.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95325 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125832981.jpg\" alt=\"Ireland\u2019s Ben Healy delivered a strong performance to take bronze, crossing the line 2 minutes and 16 seconds back.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95323 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125893128.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95322 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19440_25092816393531298.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95321 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19440_25092816393592138.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95320 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19440_25092816393512839.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95318 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19440_25092816393593821.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95319 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19435_25092815441619238.jpg\" alt=\"Belgium\u2019s Remco Evenepoel had to overcome mechanical problems and multiple bike changes but still battled his way to the silver medal, finishing 1 minute and 28 seconds behind. Ireland\u2019s Ben Healy delivered a strong performance to take bronze, crossing the line 2 minutes and 16 seconds back.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95336 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125812938.jpg\" alt=\"The closing ceremony was attended by President Paul Kagame, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, and UCI President David Lappartient, who presented medals to the finalists.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95335 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125838912.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95334 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817125832198.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95333 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817184618239.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95331 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817184692183.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95330 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817184618293.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95329 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817184632981.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-95328 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/field_19442_25092817184629318.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Slovenia\u2019s cycling superstar Tadej Poga\u010dar defended his world title in style, powering to victory in the Men\u2019s Elite Road Race at the UCI World Championships in Kigali. He conquered the demanding 267.5 km course in 6 hours, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds to secure back-to-back gold medals, cementing his dominance on the world stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000095337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[75],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-55781","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-homenews","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","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":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","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":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000095337,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/field_19442_25092817125838912logo.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55781"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55781\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000095337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55781"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55781"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55781"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=55781"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=55781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}