Kigali still echoes with the cheers. The hills are quiet now, the cobbled climbs in Kimihurura and 'Kwa Mutwe' have cooled, but, for the Italian team, the memories of the just-concluded UCI Road World Championships 2025 in Rwanda are vivid and indelible. They came expecting competition, but they found much more: a country that made them feel welcome, a people who cheered like one of their own, and a race that challenged them, inspired them, and left them changed. A history written in gold For Italy, the biggest moment came from 18-year-old Lorenzo Finn. Racing in the Under-23 men’s road race, he launched a perfectly timed solo attack in the final climb up MINAGRI, dropping Switzerland’s Jan Huber with about 10 kilometers left. Finn crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 27 seconds, 31 seconds ahead of Huber, while Austria’s Marco Schrettl claimed bronze just over a minute later. ALSO READ: More than cycling: The sacrifices behind Rwanda’s UCI World Championships It was no flash in the pan. Finn had won the junior world title in Zurich in 2024. But this victory felt different - it was not only about winning, but about doing so in Africa, on a course that tested more than strength: it tested resolve. Only 56 of the 118 starters, from 56 countries, finished the Under-23 road race. The route was punishing under the Kigali sun, with steep climbs (including the Côte de Kimihurura) and sharp switches. Rwanda through Italian eyes Giovanni Battaiola, a leading figure in hospitality and tourism in Italy (especially in Trentino), was among those who came not just to watch a race, but to absorb a country in motion. “I was very surprised by the organization and cleanliness of this area, which I never imagined would be like this. We took a tour outside the race area and it was completely tidy. The people were very respectful of traffic. We discovered a fine system that was all sent over the phone. An incredible evolution, Battaiola told Weekend Sport. We saw a city where investments are very significant, a street of grand hotels that even some other famous destinations would envy, well-built houses and, above all, a very hospitable people. Girls and boys, men and women serving this moment, including tourism, all with a smile,” he added. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s UCI triumph, why we owe PK an immeasurable debt Battaiola came to Kigali in part because Trentino had won the bid for a “Super World Championship” in 2031, and he was keen to bring back lessons from Rwanda; both in how a country hosts such an event and in how a place can present itself to the world. In the kitchen, Chef Tiziano Brichese had another kind of immersion. The rhythms, the coordination, the warmth of the people: every dish, every service told a story. “This experience in Rwanda was simply incredible and unforgettable memory. Then came the experience in the kitchen, where everyone played their part, available and eager to collaborate and support,” Brichese said. “I worked with a wonderful team every day, and I still think back to the day when, after preparing a recipe, it was copied and cooked. ... I was so impressed by the eagerness to learn of these young people that I would love to open a culinary school in Rwanda.” Diaspora ties and shared pride The Italian delegation also travelled with one member of the Rwandan diaspora who lives in Italy. She preferred to stay unnamed, but her contribution was deeply felt. She helped the team navigate local customs, language quirks, and cultural tips that made small but meaningful differences: knowing which road to avoid at certain times, how to greet people, where to find the freshest produce, and how to imbibe Rwanda’s rhythm even under race pressure. ALSO READ: Air pollution levels in Kigali dropped 45% during UCI week - REMA Her presence reminded the Italians that Rwanda’s reach extends beyond its borders; that many Rwandans abroad carry with them not only memories of home, but connections that help make events like UCI feel less foreign, less daunting. For the Italian team, having her meant less stress in logistics and more space to focus on performance, camaraderie, and enjoyment. The warmth of the crowd and the immense support U23 world champion Lorenzo Finn made note of something every racer remembers: the supporters. In his post-race remarks, he said, “The last 500 meters, my ears were hurting from how loud the crowd was. People from different nations were cheering me on! The people here in Kigali are fantastic. It’s been a wonderful week, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.” For many foreign teams, this was a first in Africa — the infrastructure, the organization, the respect for schedules, the cleanliness, and the sense that despite the race pressure, Rwanda made them feel not just guests, but part of something bigger. Shadows amid the light Online, some people tried to find flaws in the race. A certain journalist claimed that the Dutch team suffered from food poisoning; others raised questions about the heat. There were whispers about attempts to politicize some aspects of the race or to exploit vulnerabilities. But it is the riders themselves who refuted some of these allegations in post-race interviews or even on their social media platforms, sharing their experience in Rwanda, which was far different from the claims made by people who hadn’t even stepped a foot in Rwanda. Legacy and lessons For Italy, the race offered more than medals. Finn’s victory has already been placed alongside names like Greg LeMond, Remco Evenepoel, Mathieu van der Poel, and Matej Mohorič — those who have claimed world titles across age categories. Meanwhile, Battaiola says he will take home both inspiration and practical ideas. Rwanda’s system-wide investments, its hotel infrastructure, its tourism potential, the way people looked out for the event, and even basic urban features like traffic respect and cleanliness made a strong impression. ALSO READ: [http://Kigali makes history with the UCI Road World Championships]Kigali makes history with the UCI Road World Championships Brichese wants to bring Rwanda’s sense of shared effort back to his kitchens in Italy; to instill in his staff not just skill, but the warmth and pride that Rwanda showed its visitors. Italian cyclists, too, have promised to return — not only for future competitions but for tourism, rest, reconnection. For them, Kigali was more than a racetrack: it was a place to be inspired, to witness what is possible when ambition, organization, and heart combine. Looking forward; One region, many peaks As Kigali closes this chapter, the memories, the lessons, and the friendships endure. Rwanda proved it could host a world championship with grace, challenge, and vision. And for teams like Italy’s, the return will not be a question of “if,” but “when.” The role of the Rwandan diaspora reminded everyone that real connections transcend national borders, making events richer and more meaningful. For the world of cycling, this edition of UCI in Africa was a beacon: proof that when athletes are pushed to their limits, when spectators cheer with full voice, and when hosts embrace both tradition and innovation, something remarkable happens. Italian team members say that for them, Kigali will forever be a hill to climb and a summit to cherish.
