{"id":110564,"date":"2025-09-21T15:46:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T15:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/africas-turn-at-uci-road-world-championships-in-kigali"},"modified":"2025-09-21T17:24:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-21T17:24:12","slug":"africas-turn-at-uci-road-world-championships-in-kigali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/africas-turn-at-uci-road-world-championships-in-kigali","title":{"rendered":"Africa’s Turn at UCI Road World Championships in Kigali"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The 2025 UCI Road World Championships officially opened at BK Arena in Kigali on Sunday, September 21, marking the first time the prestigious cycling event is being held on the African continent in the UCI\u2019s 125-year history.<\/p>\n

Held under the theme \u201cRiding New Heights,\u201d the launch ceremony drew over 1,000 attendees, including riders, national federation delegates, cycling officials, and dignitaries from across the world<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s championship has brought together a record 106 countries, with 35 African nations represented.<\/p>\n

A total of 996 riders are competing across various categories, including\u2014for the first time\u2014the Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Under-23 races, introduced to ensure equal opportunity for emerging athletes.<\/p>\n

Cycling fans turn up for the official opening ceremony at BK Arena<\/p>\n

According to David Lappartient, President of the UCI, the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali represent a long-awaited milestone for global cycling.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first time ever, the UCI Road World Championships will take place in Africa here in Rwanda, in Kigali,\u201d he said at the opening ceremony, calling it a dream come true since his 2017 election campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was running for president, I had a dream to bring our pinnacle event to Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lappartient highlighted the global scale of the event, praising the rising level of African cycling and expressed confidence in the athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe talent from Africa has grown tremendously and this week, the world will witness it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also noted the course\u2019s difficulty and iconic setting.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will likely be the hardest UCI Road World Championship ever but also one of the most spectacular, in the Land of a Thousand Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lappartient thanked President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan people for their leadership and passion for cycling, before officially declaring the UCI world championship officially open.<\/p>\n

The minister of sport in Nelly Mukazayire acknowledged that hosting the UCI world championships is a major milestone not just for the country but for the entire continent While also highlighting the challenging nature of the course which will take riders through Rwanda\u2019s hills and valleys.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is my honour to welcome you on behalf of the government of Rwanda to the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, happening for the first time in Africa. This course will be both beautiful and demanding, reaching up to 5,400 metres of elevation a first for many riders,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mukazayire also celebrated the introduction of the first-ever Women\u2019s Under-23 race at the World Championships.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a coincidence that it\u2019s happening here in Rwanda, a country where women\u2019s empowerment is a reality, thanks to the leadership of President Paul Kagame.\u201d<\/p>\n

She thanked all organising partners for their support, emphasizing that hosting the championship is more than just an event.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor Rwanda, this is a commitment to the future and to the next generation. We believe in sport as a driving force for unity, evelopment, and progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samson Ndayishimiye, President of the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) emphasized Rwanda’s pride in hosting such events and called for more championships to follow across Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere must be a post-Kigali World Championships on the continent. Rwanda is hosting, but it should not be the last.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also praised the challenging nature of the course and welcomed the global cycling community.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet ready, it’s going to be fun and challenging. But beyond the challenge, you\u2019ll discover the warmth of our people as the slogan says Riding New Heights,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Many cycling fans at Kimironko fan zone<\/p>\n

Thousands of Rwandans turn up for watching the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali<\/p>\n

UCI President David Lappartient delivers his remarks during the official opening of the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Sunday, September 21.<\/p>\n\r\n