Road Cycling World Championships 2025: Hosts Rwanda make history for Africa

For starters, with Kigali sitting over 1500m above sea level, riders will have to be prepared to tackle altitude and the winners will truly earn their rainbow jerseys.

The men’s road race includes over 5,500m of climbing – the second highest amount in Road World Championship history – over its 267.5km-long route.

Africa’s number one male rider is Biniam Girmay yet, with his skills as a sprinter, the Eritrean will not be able to compete on this terrain against all-rounders and specialist climbers.

Despite making history by becoming the first rider from the continent to claim the green jersey – awarded to the competitor with the most points, who is normally a sprinter – at the Tour de France last year, the 25-year-old might even struggle to finish the race.

“My national team need me to be there and give my support for the team, and of course I’m happy to do that. We’ll see what I am capable of doing,” Girmay said earlier this week.

“I don’t know how many African riders will finish the race. It’s nice always to have a big event in your continent or in your country.

“I would expect it is good for the young generation, especially for the Rwandan people because they are really motivated to grow cycling.”

The best African hopes on the men’s side will come from Girmay’s compatriots.

Eritreans Henok Mulubrhan, Nahom Zeray, Natnael Tesfatsion and Merhawi Kudus will work together to help one of them make a push for the top ten.

The elite women, meanwhile, will take on a 164km course which sees 3,350m of climbing.

Le Court, who races for the AG Insurance-Soudal team, is a strong contender after her performances so far in 2025.

Alongside her on the start-line will also be the evergreen Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio from South Africa, who is looking to upgrade her continental champion jersey to the rainbow stripes.