Africa-Press – Rwanda. As the week-long UCI Road World Championships edges closer to its conclusion in Kigali, cycling fever continues to grip the city. Crowds of fans, both local and international, once again filled the streets, cheering passionately as riders pushed to bring pride to their nations.
Saturday’s races unfolded on the circuits in Gasabo District, where junior women and elite women battled it out before thousands of spectators lining the course.
Both races were marked by tactical moves , from breakaways and attacks to counterattacks and sprints.
In the morning showdown, Spain’s Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race after a powerful sprint finish. The 18-year-old clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds to take the title, ahead of Italy’s Chantal Pegolo in second and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann in third.
For the first time since the championships began on September 21, an African rider broke into the top 10, with Ethiopia’s Tsige Kahsay finishing 7th in the 74km contest that featured 75 cyclists.
The highly anticipated afternoon race for the elite women ended with Canada’s Magdeleine Vallières crowned champion of the Women’s Elite Road Race. New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black secured silver, while Spain’s Mavi García made history by taking the bronze.
Meanwhile, Team Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana finished the U19 World Cycling Championships. Masengesho finished 48th and Uwiringiyimana came in the 49th, both 12 minutes and 20 seconds behind the winner.
The New Times photographer Olivier Mugwiza is covering this global cycling race that is taking place on African soil for the first time.
Crowds of fans, both local and international, once again filled the streets, cheering passionately as riders pushed to bring pride to their nations.
Saturday’s races unfolded on the circuits in Gasabo District, where junior women and elite women battled it out before thousands of spectators lining the course.
Aerial view of junior riders during the race in Kigali.
Junior riders at Nyarutarama
Riders climb the Cote se Kimihurura, the most challenging section of the route.
Fans cheer for riders while riding at Kimihurura cobbled street.
A picturesque view of Nyarutarama and Golf Course.
Team Rwanda’s Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana became the first Rwandan women to finish the U19 World Cycling Championships. Masengesho finished 48th and Uwiringiyimana came in the 49th, both 12 minutes and 20 seconds behind the winner.
South African fans captured at Kimihurura cobbled road.
Team technician helps a rider after having a mechanical issue while climbing the cobbled street of Kimihurura.
Some Kigali residents watch the race at Kacyiru
The race was marked by tactical moves , from breakaways and attacks to counterattacks and sprints.
Team USA fans at Kacyiru in Gasabo.
She beat Italy’s Chantal Pegolo who finished second and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann who finished third
Spain’s Paula Ostiz celebrates as she crosses the finish line in a sprint at KCC. The 18-year-old clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds to take the title, ahead of Italy’s Chantal Pegolo in second and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann in third.
The 18-year-old clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds to take the title, ahead of Italy’s Chantal Pegolo in second and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann in third.
For the first time since the championships began on September 21, an African rider broke into the top 10, with Ethiopia’s Tsige Kahsay finishing 7th in the 74km contest that featured 75 cyclists.
UCI President David Lappartient poses for a photo with Team Ethiopia following Ethiopia’s Tsige Kahsay performance to finishing the 7th position.
While singing the national anthem, emotions ran high and tears of joy flowed on cyclists’ cheeks as their teammate Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race on Saturday , September 27. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Spain’s Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race after a powerful sprint finish.
Spanish team cheer on Paula Ostiz
While singing the national anthem, emotions ran high and tears of joy flowed on cyclists’ cheeks as their teammate Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race on Saturday , September 27. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Emotions ran high and tears of joy flowed on cyclists’ cheeks as their teammate Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race on Saturday , September 27. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Spain’s Paula Ostiz celebrates at the podium at KCC.
Spain’s Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race
Ostiz showed power in the last meters of the sprint to Kigali Convention Centre, to grab second medal on her name in the championships after the silver in the time trial.
Spain’s Paula Ostiz claimed gold in the junior women’s race after a powerful sprint finish. The 18-year-old clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 19 seconds to take the title, ahead of Italy’s Chantal Pegolo in second and Switzerland’s Anja Grossmann in third.
Elite Women Road Race
Fans wave the Rwandan national flag along the streets. To celebrate the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, fan zones were provided with flags.
Elite women before starting the road race.
A peloton in Nyarutarama
International fans captured at Kimihurura Fan Zone at the cobbled street dubbed ‘Cote de Kimihurura
A parent lifts up his child to better watch the race at Kabuga ka Nyarutarama in Kigali
International fans captured at Kimihurura Fan Zone at the cobbled street dubbed ‘Cote de Kimihurura
Crowds of fans, both local and international, once again filled the streets, cheering passionately as riders pushed to bring pride to their nations.
Saturday’s showdown attracted thousands of cycling enthusiasts.
Supporters at Cote de Kimihurura cheer on a cyclist during the race
Crowds of fans, both local and international, once again filled the streets, cheering passionately as riders pushed to bring pride to their nations.
The 2025 UCI edition in Kigali was also an opportunity for Rwandans to showcase their cultural dances.
Team Rwanda’s Xaverine Nirere in action. She withdrew before finishing the rce.
Some fans from Belgium at Kimihurura fan zone
In all corners of the city, cycling fans were cheering on riders.
Elite women riders during the second lap of the race
Fans wave the Rwandan national flag along the streets. To celebrate the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, fan zones were provided with flags. At the finish line, thousands of fans turned up to follow the race.
Riders during a ride in peloton as the cross in the new road around Kigali Golf Course
Fans wave the Rwandan national flag along the streets. To celebrate the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, fan zones were provided with flags.
Canadian rider Magdeleine Vallieres was crowned women’s world champion after an impressive performance in Kigali on Saturday, September 27
The 24-year-old took her time to observe the race and wait to attack at the final touch. It took her 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 48 seconds to finish off the 164.6-kilometer distance.
Magdeleine Vallieres’s teammate celebrates her victory after crossing the finish line
The 24-year-old took her time to observe the race and wait to attack at the final touch. It took her 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 48 seconds to finish off the 164.6-kilometer distance.
Vallieres showed cold blood and power in the last kilometers, winning a historic gold medal for Canada.
Canadian rider Magdeleine Vallieres was crowned women’s world champion after an impressive performance in Kigali on Saturday, September 27
The 24-year-old took her time to observe the race and wait to attack at the final touch. It took her 4 hours, 34 minutes, and 48 seconds to finish off the 164.6-kilometer distance.
Team Canada riders watch their teammate Magdeleine Vallieres while receiving her gold medal on the podium.
Flags of the winners’ countries hoisted to honour their victories.
Canadian rider Magdeleine Vallieres on the podium as she grabbed her Gold medal.
Team Canada staff and riders during the awarding ceremony
New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black finished second, with 23 seconds behind, while Spain’s Mavi García was third, coming 27 seconds behind
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