African cyclists have increasingly made their mark on the international stage over the last ten years, and a significant milestone is about to be achieved with the commencement of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda this Sunday.

The women’s individual time trial will initiate the event at the BK Arena in Kigali, a historic moment as it marks the first time this championship has been held on African soil since its inception in 1921 in Sweden.

Kim Le Court, who became the first African to don the leader’s yellow jersey at the recent Tour de France Femmes, expressed that participating in this championship is ‘truly special.’

“Standing at the start of the very first World Championships in Africa, wearing my Mauritius jersey, is something I never thought I’d experience,” Le Court stated in an interview. “This goes beyond me, showing that riders from lesser-known nations can share in historic moments like this.”

The competition will consist of 13 events, covering time trials and road races, ensuring gender equality across three age categories: junior, under-23, and elite, spread over eight days.

After Rwanda was designated as the host in 2021, cycling federations across the continent were called to prepare young athletes for optimum participation in the championships.

Currently, about 150 professional male and female cyclists compete in Africa, with top-level athletes representing countries including Eritrea, South Africa, Algeria, Mauritius, and Morocco, which are the leading nations in the UCI Africa Tour.

However, Rwanda’s challenging terrain, recognized as the land of a thousand hills, may pose difficulties for some prominent African cyclists.

Riders will need to be prepared for the high altitude, as Kigali is situated over 1,500 meters above sea level, making victory in this championship truly commendable.

The men’s road race features a daunting 5,500 meters of elevation gain—ranking as the second highest in the history of the Road World Championships—over a distance of 267.5 kilometers.

Biniam Girmay, the continent’s foremost male cyclist, known for his sprinting abilities, might find it difficult to navigate the terrain against climbers and all-rounders.

Despite becoming the first African to earn the green jersey at the Tour de France last year, the 25-year-old may struggle to complete the challenging race.

“I need to be there for my national team, offering support, and I’m happy to do so. We’ll see what I can manage,” Girmay indicated. “I feel uncertain about how many African riders will complete the race. It’s great to have a major event hosted in our continent or country.”

“This is crucial for young talent, especially for the motivated Rwandan cyclists looking to grow in the sport.”

The greatest hopes for success from the African contingent may rest on Girmay’s fellow Eritreans:

Henok Mulubrhan, Nahom Zeray, Natnael Tesfatsion, and Merhawi Kudus are working together in hopes of attaining top ten finishes.

In contrast, the elite women’s race will cover 164 kilometers with 3,350 meters of climbing on the course.

Le Court, racing for AG Insurance-Soudal, is a top contender based on her prior performances in 2025.

Joining her at the starting line will be South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, who aims to elevate her continental champion jersey to the prestigious rainbow stripes.

The UCI chose to hold the championships in Rwanda due to the nation’s enthusiasm for cycling.

The annual Tour du Rwanda routinely draws over one million attendees, and an even larger turnout is anticipated during the World Championships.

“Just the thought of this alone gives me chills,” Le Court expressed. “While the crowds at the Tour de France are extraordinary, this will feel entirely different since it is on our continent.”

“To hear the crowd’s cheers in Africa and feel that energy as an African rider will motivate me during the toughest periods of the race. You face challenges, but electrifying crowd support can take you to another level.”

Despite the ongoing unrest in neighboring DR Congo, which led some to suggest relocating the event, the UCI confirmed it would proceed without disruptions.

UCI President David Lappartient emphasized that his long-held goal has been to “bring together the road cycling community in Africa.”

The chance to host this prestigious event is viewed as a potential turning point for cycling in Africa.

“It’s a moment of immense pride for all those who have contributed to the development of African cycling over the last two decades,” remarked Kimberly Coats, CEO of Team Africa Rising. “We hope this event inspires more sustained investment in the sport from federations across the continent.”

For young African cyclists, the emphasis is on participation rather than results.

Riders from the top five nations and other top ten entries (Benin, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Namibia, and Uganda) will have the opportunity to gauge their level and potentially attract the attention of development teams focused on nurturing emerging talent.

Ethiopia’s Tsige Kahsay Kiros, competing in the junior women’s road race, is among the notable young entrants making headlines.

The 18-year-old excelled at the Tour de l’Avenir, where she outpaced riders two to three years older, and received selection for a UCI initiative.

This Road World Championships will bring expected highs and lows for participants, and unlike any prior event of its kind, it will profoundly impact both the host nation and the continent.

Africa’s cycling scene will firmly establish its presence on the global map.