With less than three weeks to the 2025 UCI Road World Championship in Rwanda, the world's finest riders are soon taking on Kigali streets fighting for supremacy on the global stage from September 21-28. Rwanda won the bid to host this prestigious event on September 24, 2021 beating Morocco to the hosting rights and becoming the first country to bring the world’s most prestigious race to African soil. The race routes in Kigali are arguably, due to their elevation, the toughest ever in history. Riders are expected to experience arguably the toughest race ever, compared to the previous editions, with the last day set to see elite men riders climbing 5,475 metres of elevation during their 267.5 km race, at the altitude of 1,850 metres where Kigali sits. While the 2024 Zürich edition’s toughest course recorded 4,470 metres of elevation, Kigali’s elevation profile proves way higher altitude by 1,005 metres. Times Sport gives you a sneak peek into what could make the Kigali 2025 the hardest race ever, especially based on the elevation. The first three days of the race will feature the individual time trials which are set to run inside the BK Arena—marking the first time a UCI Road World Championship starts from an indoor venue. On the opening day, the elite men will cover 680 metres of elevation during their 40.6 km race, while the elite women will climb 460 metres in just 31.2 km. ALSO READ: 35 humps removed from 2025 UCI Road World Championship routes The action will then continue on the second day with the Under-23 riders taking their turn. The women will face 350 metres of elevation across 22.6 km, while the men will be tested with 460 metres of climbing over 31.2 km. The third day will see the junior riders close out the individual time trial programme, with the women tackling 225 metres of elevation over 18.3 km, and the men covering 350 metres over 22.6 km. The curtain will finally fall on the time trial events with the Mixed Relay Team Time Trial, featuring 740 metres of elevation across 41.8 km, setting the stage for the highly anticipated road races. ALSO READ: Kigali’s on track for 2025 UCI Road World Championship—Ferwacy boss From Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28, the focus will shift from solo efforts to tactical team battles on the road. For the first time again, the Under-23 women will contest their own road race, separate from the elite women’s event. Both the Under-23 Women’s Road Race and the Men’s Junior Road Race will include 2,435 metres of elevation on a 119.3 km circuit that features two short climbs alongside continuous rolling, energy-draining roads. All eyes, however, will then be on the elite categories. The Men’s Elite Road Race promises to be the ultimate test, with riders covering 15 laps of the Kigali circuit plus an additional 42.5 km mid-race extension loop that tackles the punishing Mille de Kigali. The Elite Women’s Road Race, meanwhile, will consist of 11 laps of the Kigali circuit, amounting to 164.6 km and 3,350 metres of elevation, though without the Mur de Kigali extension.
