Africa-Press – Rwanda. The ongoing UCI Road World Championships continues to draw thousands of Kigalians and visitors, who line the city streets to cheer on world-class riders competing on African soil for the first time.
Thursday’s racing spotlight was on the women’s Under-23 road race over a 119.3km course. The afternoon pedals brought thrilling moments of breakaways, attacks, and peloton chases that kept crowds entertained from start to finish.
Out of 85 riders representing 40 countries, only 35 crossed the finish line, with 50 forced to abandon.
France’s Célia Gery struck gold, winning in 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 26 seconds. The 19-year-old edged Slovakia’s Viktória Chladonová by two seconds, while Spain’s Paula Blasi claimed bronze, finishing 12 seconds later.
Rwanda’s Charlotte Iragena, Martha Ntakirutimana, Claudette Nyirarukundo, and Jazilla Mwamikazi were unable to finish the race.
Earlier in the day, the UCI Congress convened for the first time in Kigali, hosted at the Convention Centre on the sidelines of the championships. Frenchman David Lappartient was re-elected as president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), securing another four-year mandate through 2029.
The 194th UCI Congress, held on Thursday, September 25, was attended by President Kagame alongside 115 delegates from UCI member federations.
The New Times photographer Olivier Mugwiza captured the day’s action and atmosphere in pictures.
Rwanda’s Charlotte Iragena, Martha Ntakirutimana, Claudette Nyirarukundo, and Jazilla Mwamikazi
A total of the 85 riders from 40 countries who started the race
The riders set off from the Kigali Convention Centre and took the road to Nyarutarama via Gishushu (RDB), then turned towards Kigali Golf Club and headed to Kimicanga where they climbed Cote de Kimihurura [Kwa Mignonne] cobbled road before sprinting to KCC.
The U-23 riders climb the cobbles Cote de Kimihurura during the race.
Cycling fans at Kimihurura fan zone
The afternoon pedals brought thrilling moments of breakaways, attacks, and peloton chases that kept crowds entertained from start to finish.
Across different parts of Kigali, fans lined the roads and cheered as riders passed through during the race.
A rider climbs the cobbled Cote de Kimihurura in a breakaways
As in the earlier Time Trial races, the Côte de Kimihurura cobbled climb proved to be the most challenging section of Thursday’s road race.
Thursday’s racing spotlight was on the women’s Under-23 road race over a 119.3km course.
The afternoon pedals brought thrilling moments of breakaways, attacks, and peloton chases that kept crowds entertained from start to finish.
Rwandan rider Djazilla Mwamikazi rides at Kimihurura cobbled street.
Thursday’s racing spotlight was on the women’s Under-23 road race over a 119.3km course.
Out of 85 riders representing 40 countries, only 35 crossed the finish line, with 50 forced to abandon.
France’s Célia Gery struck gold in women’s under-23 road race of the UCI Road World Championships, clocking 3 hours 24 minutes and 26 seconds over the 119.3km course. PHOTOS BY OLIVIER MUGWIZA
France’s Célia Gery struck gold in women’s under-23 road race of the UCI Road World Championships, clocking 3 hours 24 minutes and 26 seconds over the 119.3km course. OLIVIER MUGWIZA
Célia Gery celebrates after winning in women’s under-23 road race of the UCI Road World Championships.
France’s Célia Gery struck gold, winning in 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 26 seconds. The 19-year-old edged Slovakia’s Viktória Chladonová by two seconds, while Spain’s Paula Blasi claimed bronze, finishing 12 seconds later.
Thousands of people attend the awarding ceremony at KCC.
France’s Célia Gery struck gold, winning in 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 26 seconds. The 19-year-old edged Slovakia’s Viktória Chladonová by two seconds, while Spain’s Paula Blasi claimed bronze, finishing 12 seconds later.
Kagame thanked the UCI for choosing Rwanda to host both the Congress and the Road World Championships, noting it was the first time these events were being held on the African continent. Photo by Village Urugwiro
Earlier in the day, the UCI Congress convened for the first time in Kigali, hosted at the Convention Centre on the sidelines of the championships.
Frenchman David Lappartient was re-elected as president of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), securing another four-year mandate through 2029.
The 194th UCI Congress, held on Thursday, September 25, was attended by President Kagame alongside 115 delegates from UCI member federations.
The 194th UCI Congress, held on Thursday, September 25
President Paul Kagame delivers his remarks at the 194th UCI Congress on Thursday, September 25, in Kigali.
Delegates during the UCI Congress in Kigali on Thursday, September 25
Delegates follow President Paul Kagame’s remarks at the 194th UCI Congress on Wednesday, September 24, in Kigali. Photos by Village Urugwiro
President Kagame and David Lappartient UCI President pose for a photo
President Paul Kagame and UCI officials pose for a photo at the 194th UCI Congress on Thursday, September 25, in Kigali.
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