The 2025 Road World Championships in Kigali mark a historic moment for women’s cycling. For the first time, the under-23 riders will race for their own rainbow jersey, rather than being folded into the elite race. On Thursday 25 September, a 119.3 km course with 2,435 metres of climbing awaits, packed into eight laps of a demanding circuit. Each lap includes the Côte de Kigali Golf at 800m and 8.1% and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura at 1.3 km and 6.3%, followed by a punishing uphill drag to the finish. With 16 ascents in total, the race promises relentless pressure that will reward riders with endurance, climbing strength and resilience to repeated accelerations.
Canada’s powerhouse led by Isabella Holmgren
Canada has invested heavily in this category and arrives with a strong team led by Isabella Holmgren. The 20-year-old has already won a world title this September in mountain biking, adding to a breakout season on the road. She claimed Durango-Durango in May, placed strongly at Itzulia Women and Tour de Suisse, finished second in the youth classification and seventh overall at the Giro d’Italia Women, then went on to win the overall at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes. Holmgren’s ability to sustain power over long climbs, combined with team depth through her sister Ava, makes her the standout favourite in Kigali.
France’s formidable trio
France has assembled a formidable squad. Marion Bunel has been one of the most consistent young riders of 2025, taking second overall at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes and youth classification titles at both Suisse and Catalunya. Célia Gery comes into the Worlds fresh from two stage victories at the Tour de l’Avenir, while Julie Bego, a former junior world champion, secured third in the youth classification at the Tour de France Femmes. France can play multiple cards, and with riders capable of climbing and attacking, they will be dangerous in any scenario.
Belgian strength in depth
Belgium also brings a powerful roster with Lore De Schepper, Fleur Moors and Xaydee Van Sinaey. De Schepper’s fourth place at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes underlined her potential to perform on demanding parcours, and she has already shown an ability to launch winning solo moves in other races. Moors has been steadily improving in stage races, while Van Sinaey added another overall podium at the Giro Toscana this season. Together, they give Belgium a deep set of options for a selective race.
Britain’s dual threat with Couzens and Ferguson
Great Britain lines up with one of the strongest squads of all, with Millie Couzens and Cat Ferguson the headline names. Couzens, the British U23 time trial champion and elite national road champion, has enjoyed a solid season including top-10s at Dwars door het Hageland and the Tour of Britain Women. Ferguson, meanwhile, is one of the sport’s most exciting prospects in her first professional season with Movistar. She has already won the Navarra Women’s Elite Classic, taken third at Trofeo Alfredo Binda and finished second overall at the Tour of Britain Women. The climbs in Kigali will test her, but if Ferguson survives into the finale she has the finishing speed to challenge for the rainbow jersey.
Australia’s climbing cards
Australia fields four riders, with Talia Appleton standing out after her breakthrough season. The 19-year-old impressed with third overall at the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes and has displayed strong climbing form in Australian racing, including a win at the Tour of Bright. She will be joined by Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, a former junior world time trial champion, as well as Mackenzie Coupland and Alli Anderson. Anderson has also proven herself this year, taking strong results in the ProVelo Super League and winning the Harbour City GP. Australia may not have the depth of Canada or Great Britain, but their leaders are capable of fighting for medals.
Outsiders who could surprise
Italy’s hopes rest largely on Eleonora Ciabocco, a combative rider who rarely hesitates to attack. Though she may lack the full team support of some rivals, Ciabocco’s aggression and strength on short climbs could allow her to seize the initiative. Spain’s Paula Blasi is another rider to watch. Her time trial did not show her true potential, but she has the engine to make a decisive move on the Kimihurura cobbles if the favourites hesitate.
A rainbow jersey for the history books
The inaugural stand-alone U23 World Championships road race promises to be fiercely contested. Isabella Holmgren has the palmarès and form to start as favourite, but Marion Bunel, Cat Ferguson, Lore De Schepper, Talia Appleton and others are more than capable of spoiling Canada’s ambitions. With such a demanding circuit and the weight of history at stake, the rider who claims the rainbow jersey in Kigali will not only take victory on the day, but also secure their place in cycling’s record books as the first true U23 women’s world champion.
