Team Rwanda fans cheer on Etienne Tuyizere during the ITT during the ongoing UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Monday, September 22. Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
After a cinematic show that saw Belgian star Remco Evenepoel overtake Tadej Pogacar at cobblestone climb of Kimihurura to claim his third straight men’s world time trial title on Sunday, thousands of cycling fans on Monday, September 22, queued the streets of Kigali for yet another round of entertaining cycling, this time from U23 men and women in the time trial races.
Kigali is currently home of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first of its kind in Africa. The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
Riders pedaled from BK Arena to Gahanga, with the finish line at the Kigali Convention Centre. Along the way, they faced the decisive challenge of a steep cobbled climb, famously dubbed the "Côte de Kimihurura.”
In the men’s U-23 Time Trial, Swedish prospect Jakob Söderqvist powered to victory, earning his first rainbow jersey. The 21-year-old completed the 31.2km course in 38 minutes and 24 seconds.
Team Great Britain’s Zoe Bäckstedt also delivered a commanding performance to win her first Under-23 women’s time trial. The 20-year-old completed the 22.6km course in 30 minutes and 56 seconds, outshining Slovakian Victoria Chladonova and Italy’s Federica Venturelli who joined her to the podium with silver and bronze medals respectively. Rwandan debutant Martha Ntakirutimana placed 27th, with five minutes and 31 seconds adrift.
The New Times’ photographers Olivier Mugwiza and Dan Gatsinzi, who are covering the championships, captured key highlights from the action.
Kigali is currently home of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first of its kind in Africa.
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
U-23 riders were racing on Monday, on the second day of this global cycling event following the official opening at BK Arena on Sunday, September 21.
Cycling supporters of the French team at Kimihurura cobbled street on Monday
Riders faced the decisive challenge of a steep cobbled climb, famously dubbed the "Côte de Kimihurura.”
The cobbled Cote de Kimihurura
The competition is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
A rider climbs the steep cobbled climb, famously dubbed the "Côte de Kimihurura.”
The event is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
Riders pedaled from BK Arena to Gahanga, with the finish line at the Kigali Convention Centre. Along the way, they faced the decisive challenge of a steep cobbled climb, famously dubbed the "Côte de Kimihurura.”
Many supporters watch the race on TV screen.
A Canadian cyclist climbing the cobbled road of Kimihurura
One of photographers on duty while covering the race that is taking place in Africa for the first time.
A cyclist during the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Monday, September 22.
Of the 61 riders scheduled to start, only Jarno Widar (Belgium) withdrew due to a minor injury.
On Monday, thousands of cycling fans on Monday, September 22, queued the streets of Kigali for yet another round of entertaining cycling, this time from U23 men and women in the time trial races.
A rider climbs the steep cobbled climb, famously dubbed the "Côte de Kimihurura.”
Two French riders at Cote de Kimihurura watching how other riders climb the cobbled street
Team Great Britain’s Zoe Bäckstedt also delivered a commanding performance to win her first Under-23 women’s time trial.
This year’s championship has brought together a record 106 countries, with 35 African nations represented.
Flags of Great Britain, Slovakia and Italy hoisted at KCC to honour the winners.
Zoe Bäckstedt of Great Britain claimed gold in the Under-23 women’s time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. Olivier Mugwiza
Zoe Bäckstedt of Great Britain claimed gold in the Under-23 women’s time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. Olivier Mugwiza
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
Team Rwanda fans cheer on Etienne Tuyizere during the ITT during the ongoing UCI Road World Championships in Kigali on Monday, September 22. Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
Two cycling fans pose for a photo.
Kicukiro fan zone
Rwanda’s Samuel Niyonkuru finished 29th, 4 minutes and 50 seconds behind Söderqvist, while Tuyizere placed 31st, 5 minutes and 12 seconds off the winning pace
Members of Kimihurura fan club enjoying a music during the race on Monday.
Kigali is currently home of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first of its kind in Africa
A group of fans lifting-up one of the crew while watching the race
Swedish prospect Jakob Söderqvist in action during the race. He stormed to victory and claimed his first rainbow jersey in the men’s Under-23 time trial
Cycling enthusiasts during the awarding ceremony at CC
Flags of the winning countries hoisted at KCC.
Swedish prospect Jakob Söderqvist stormed to victory and claimed his first rainbow jersey in the men’s Under-23 time trial.
Swedish Jakob Söderqvist stormed in action ahead of his victory as he claimed his first rainbow jersey in the men’s Under-23 time trial.
France’s Maxime Decomble who mounted a strong challenge on the final climb, settled for bronze.
Swedish Jakob Söderqvist stormed in action ahead of his victory as he claimed his first rainbow jersey in the men’s Under-23 time trial
Swedish Jakob Söderqvist, New Zealand’s Nate Pringle and France’s Maxime Decomble celebrate their victories
The week-long global cycling event, running from September 21 to 28, is proving to be more than just a competition, it is also celebration and a spectacle of entertainment.
Some Swedish citizens living in Rwanda hoist their national flags in a celebrates as Swedish Jakob Söderqvist stormed to victory and claimed his first rainbow jersey in the men’s Under-23 time trial.
Kigali is currently home of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, the first of its kind in Africa