The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has confirmed it will deploy a GPS rider tracking system to enhance rider safety at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 21 to 28 September.
According to a statement from UCI, every rider taking part in the championships, from juniors to elite men and women, will be fitted with a GPS tracking device discreetly attached under their saddle.
Collaboration and pilot testing
The move is part of the governing body’s broader push to use technology to improve rider safety, in collaboration with SafeR.
The devices will transmit real-time data on each cyclist’s position and speed of the entire peloton to the championships’ control centre. In the event of an unexpected stop or irregular movement, the system will immediately flag the anomaly and alert organisers, commissaires, medical staff, and security teams.
This means that in case of a crash or medical emergency, responders can be dispatched instantly to the rider’s exact location—potentially saving critical minutes.
The technology was piloted in Switzerland during the three stages (August 15 to 17) of the Tour de Romandie Féminin, where it was refined for large-scale use.
Kigali will serve as the first global stage to deploy it fully, setting a precedent for future races.
UCI president David Lappartient welcomes progress
UCI President David Lappartient described the introduction of GPS monitoring as “important and necessary progress” for professional cycling.
He emphasised that the system will help detect incidents that might otherwise go unnoticed in the chaos of a peloton.
“Thanks to this system, any incident or accident can be quickly identified, and it will be possible to assist the person concerned as quickly as possible by mobilising those already on the ground and the emergency services,” Lappartient said.
Kigali set to make history
Preparations for the 98th UCI Road World Championships in Kigali have been finalized, ahead of the weeklong event which will bring together a total of 917 competitors including substitutes.
The city will make history as the first in Africa to host the prestigious cycling competition set to begin with the women’s and men’s time trials.
