Evenepoel Stuns Pogačar as Kigali Welcomes the World to the 2025 UCI Road Championships
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali opened with a dramatic display of power and precision on Sunday as Belgian star Remco Evenepoel produced one of the most astonishing performances in modern cycling.
Starting two minutes and thirty seconds behind Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar in the Men’s Elite Individual Time Trial, Evenepoel not only caught the Slovenian but powered past him on the road. His breathtaking ride left the crowd in awe and firmly stamped his authority on the championships.
“It was a perfect day on the bike,” Evenepoel said after taking the rainbow jersey. “Catching someone like Tadej doesn’t happen often. It shows the work I’ve done to be here.”
The spectacle unfolded against a vibrant Kigali backdrop, with thousands of fans lining the streets between BK Arena and the Kigali Convention Centre. The 40.6-kilometer course tested riders with its rolling terrain and technical corners, but Evenepoel made it look effortless, sealing a victory that will be remembered for years.
Earlier in the day, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser claimed gold in the Women’s Elite ITT, completing the 31.2-kilometer course in 43 minutes and 9 seconds. She dedicated her triumph to her team, saying: “It makes me so happy that I can achieve this. Both for myself, and also for the whole group around me. I am really full of love for these people.”
As Rwanda hosted its first-ever Road World Championships, the occasion was marked by official recognition. Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire welcomed participants, while UCI President David Lappartient hailed the event as a testament to President Paul Kagame’s commitment to developing cycling in Africa.
Rwandan Riders in Action
In the Women’s Elite ITT, local riders gave their all in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Nirere Xaverine, the first to start, finished 27th with a time of 50 minutes and 7 seconds over the 31.2 km course, 6 minutes and 58 seconds behind the winner. Teammate Ingabire Diane placed 35th, clocking 52 minutes and 57 seconds, nine minutes and 48 seconds off the pace.
The field featured 44 riders in total. At the back of the results were two riders from Qatar, just behind Uganda’s Trinitah Namukasa.
For Rwanda, the times may not have yielded podium finishes, but the moment was historic showcasing the nation’s rising talent on cycling’s biggest stage.
With road races still to come, the excitement in Kigali is only building. Day one has already delivered history, drama, and a reminder of why cycling’s rainbow jersey carries so much weight.
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships opened in Kigali with two spectacular Individual Time Trials (ITT), as Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser and Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel claimed gold on the first day of competition.
Reusser Dominates Women’s ITT
In the opening event, Marlen Reusser of Switzerland powered to victory in the Women’s Elite ITT, covering the 31.2 km course in 43 minutes and 9 seconds.
She finished 51.89 seconds ahead of Dutch veteran Anna van der Breggen, while Norway’s Katrine Aalerud secured the bronze, 1 minute and 24 seconds down.
Slovenia’s Urška Žigart, wife of Tadej Pogačar, finished ninth, 3 minutes and 30 seconds behind Reusser.
Reusser’s triumph set the tone for an unforgettable day of cycling in Kigali, where Rwanda became the first African nation to host the World Championships.
Evenepoel Makes History in Men’s ITT
Later in the day, Belgian star Remco Evenepoel delivered a breathtaking performance to win the Men’s Elite ITT.
Starting two and a half minutes behind Tadej Pogačar, Evenepoel not only closed the gap but also overtook the Slovenian superstar on the road, a dramatic moment that electrified the crowds.
He completed the 40.6 km course in 49 minutes and 6 seconds, securing his third consecutive ITT world title after victories in Glasgow (2023) and Zurich (2024).
“Today, it happened in Kigali!”
Rwanda was represented by Nsengiyumva Shemu and Mugisha Moise in the Men’s ITT.
- Shemu, the first rider to start, finished 25th, 6 minutes and 55 seconds behind Evenepoel.
- Mugisha placed 31st, finishing 8 minutes and 54 seconds back.
A total of 54 riders competed in the event. The final finisher was Edward Jalal of South Sudan, who crossed the line 43 minutes and 18 seconds behind the winner.
What’s Next in Kigali
The World Championships continue on Monday, September 22, 2025, with the Under-23 ITTs.
- The Women U23 will race 22.6 km from 10:30, with Rwandans Nyirarukundo Claudette and Mwamikazi Jazilla on the start list.
- The Men U23 will cover 31.2 km from 13:35, represented by Tuyizere Etienne and Niyonkuru Samuel.
As the global cycling community gathered in Kigali, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, welcomed participants to the historic event.
Meanwhile, UCI President David Lappartient praised Rwanda’s achievement, noting that hosting the championships was made possible thanks to the leadership and vision of President Paul Kagame.
With Reusser and Evenepoel lighting up day one and Rwanda warmly hosting the world, the 2025 UCI Road World Championships are already making history on African soil.
