The 2025 Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, mark a historic first as the event lands on African soil. Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda’s challenging terrain will test the endurance of cyclists, with the elite men set to climb 5,475 metres over a gruelling 267.5km race. The routes, revealed at the 2024 Road World Championships in Zürich, promise one of the most demanding races in the competition’s history.
Schedule and Course Details
Taking place from 21st to 28th September 2025, the event will bring riders to Rwanda’s capital, which sits at an altitude of 1,850 metres. This elevation adds a unique difficulty to the races. The organisers noted, “The high altitude and the climbs will challenge the riders to push their limits. A place in the history books is at stake.”
Time trials will run from Sunday to Wednesday. The elite men’s time trial features 680 metres of climbing over 40.6km, while the elite women will face 460 metres of elevation in a 31.2km race. Road races follow from Thursday to Sunday, with a separate under-23 women’s race held apart from the elite women’s event for the first time.
Women Elites Time Trial Route, Elevation & Map
Women U23 Time Trial Route, Elevation & Map
Men Elites Time Trial Route, Elevation & Map
Women Elites Road Race Route, Elevation & Map
Women U23 Road Race Route, Elevation & Map
Men Elites Road Race Route, Elevation & Map
Course Challenges
Races will be held on a 15.1km circuit, incorporating two short climbs and continuous, challenging roads. The elite men will cover 15 laps plus an additional 42.5km mid-race extension to tackle the Mur du Kigali, a cobbled ascent with an 11% gradient. In contrast, the elite women’s race spans 164.6km over 11 laps of the Kigali circuit, climbing 3,350 metres but bypassing the Mur du Kigali.
UCI thoughts about the Rwanda Worlds
UCI President David Lappartient expressed his long-term vision being realised: “Bringing the World Cycling Championships to the African continent has been my vision for many years. In a year’s time, this will become a reality. I am delighted that this historic event will take place in Rwanda, which is already known for the beautiful Tour of Rwanda. Kigali and the entire country have a rich cycling culture, which will now be shared with the world. I can’t wait to welcome the cycling family to what will be a milestone in the development and globalisation of our sport.”
