Swiss cyclist Marlen Reusser and Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel claimed the Elite Individual Time Trial (ITT) titles at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Sunday, September 21. Evenepoel extended his dominance by securing a third consecutive gold medal in the Men’s ITT, while Reusser captured her first-ever Women’s Elite ITT crown. Photo by Olivier Mugwiza and Dan Gatsinzi
Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, UCI President David Lappartient and FERWACY President Samson Ndayishimiye grace the ceremony which was followed by the official flag off of Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial inside the arena, marking the first indoor start in the race’s history.
Held under the theme "Riding New Heights,” the launch ceremony drew over 1,000 attendees, including riders, national federation delegates, cycling officials, and dignitaries from across the world
This year’s championship has brought together a record 106 countries, with 35 African nations represented.
The New Times photographers Olivier Mugwiza and Dan Gatsinzi are covering this global race that is taking place on African soil for the first time.
The official opening of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships took place at BK Arena on Sunday, September 21
Rwanda’s Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, UCI President David Lappartient and FERWACY President Samson Ndayishimiye grace the ceremony. Olivier Mugwiza
Thousands of cycling fans attend the official opening of the week-long global competition
A view of Kicukiro Sonatube street.
Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire delivers her remarks during the opening of the global race.
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships officially opened at BK Arena in Kigali on Sunday, September 21.
The launch ceremony drew over 1,000 attendees, including riders, national federation delegates, cycling officials, and dignitaries from across the world.
UCI President David Lappartient addresses delegates during the official opening.
Xaverine Nirere, the first rider off the ramp during the UCI 2025 Road World Championships in Kigali.
This year’s championship has brought together a record 106 countries, with 35 African nations represented
Excitement fills the streets of Kigali as fans line up across different roads, eagerly awaiting the official opening and starting point of the UCI Road World Championships.”
Kimironko fan zone
Kicukiro Sonatube was among the fan zones where photographers captured crowds of fans
The launch ceremony drew over 1,000 attendees, including riders, national federation delegates, cycling officials, and dignitaries from across the world
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships officially opened at BK Arena in Kigali on Sunday, September 21.
A rider during the race while heading to Gahanga
A view of Kicukiro-Sonatube where thousands of cycling fans throng Kigali streets as the UCI Road World Championships kicked off with Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial race at BK Arena.
Thousands of Rwandans turn up for the official opening of 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Sunday, September 21. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza and Dan Gatsinzi
Rwandan rider in action during the race
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel at Kicukiro on his way to Gahanga
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, the gold medal winner. rides at Nyanza
Kimironko Fan Zone
Kicukiro Sonatube was among the fan zones where photographers captured crowds of fans
Thousands of cycling fans throng Kigali streets as the UCI Road World Championships kicked off with Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial race at BK Arena.
The launch ceremony drew over 1,000 attendees, including riders, national federation delegates, cycling officials, and dignitaries from across the world
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel in action at Kicukiro
Cycling fans watch the race on big TV Screens at KCC
Kigalians follow UCI Road World Championship
Cycling supporters watch the race on TV screen at the finish line
South African rider climbs Kimihurura cobbled street
Rwandan Shemu Nsengiyumva during UCI Road Championships in Kigali on Sunday.
Rwandan rider Moise Mugisha during the competition while climbing a cobbled street of Kimihurura
A South Sudanese rider during the race.
Kimihurura based fans
Cote de Kimihuru, a cobbled street that has been a crucial racing road for pro-cyclists during the race.
Cote de Kimihurura
Slovenian super star Tadej Pogacar had a day to forget in Kigali as he missed out on the podium of the men elite Individual Time Trial (ITT) race of the UCI Road World Championships which is happening in Africa for the first time.
Cycling enthusiasts wait for riders at Kimihurura
A screenshot of a scenario when Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel attacks Slovenian super star Tadej Pogacar at Cote de Kimihurura on Sunday
A view of the finish line and the podium
Hundreds of fans mainly foreign residents were photographed at Cote de Kimihurura cheering on riders during the ITT.
Slovenian super star Tadej Pogacar climbs Cote de Kimihurura during the men elite Individual Time Trial (ITT). Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
Slovenian super star Tadej Pogacar supporters
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel after a crucial attack to Slovenian super star Tadej Pogacar
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel continued his time trial dominance by winning his third consecutive gold medal in the Men’s Individual Time Trial (ITT)
Evenepoel completed the 40.6-kilometre course in 49 minutes and 6 seconds, securing his third straight ITT world title after previous victories in Glasgow (2023) and Zurich (2024).
He crossed the finish line at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) with a commanding lead of 1 minute and 15 seconds over Australia’s Jay Vine, who finished second.
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel continued his time trial dominance by winning his third consecutive gold medal in the Men’s Individual Time Trial (ITT) at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, held in Kigali on Sunday, September 21.
Thousands of fans at the finish line. Captured here some of the Belgians cheer to Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel the winner of ITT in elite men category
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel's fellow Belgian Ilan Van Wilder took third place, earning a surprise bronze medal in what was his first-ever appearance in a World Championship time trial event
Two Belgians and the Australian dominated the ITT in Kigali
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel with his trophies
Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire on Podium during the awarding ceremony
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel
Belgians hoist their national flags to celebrate Remco Evenepoel's victory
Thousands of fans at Kigali Convention Centre
Top performers on the podium at Kigali Convention Centre
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and team staff pose for a photo
Remco Evenepoel's fans cheer on him during the awarding ceremony