About Kigali 2025

THE REASON FOR BRINGING THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO RWANDA

In 2025, the global cycling spotlight will shine on the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda, as it hosts the prestigious UCI Road World Championships for the first time on the African continent in the event’s 103-year history. This historic decision reflects not only Rwanda’s growing significance in the cycling world but also the nation’s remarkable journey of transformation and progress.

Cycling holds a special place in Rwanda’s heart, with the bicycle serving as an essential tool of everyday life for many Rwandans. From navigating the challenging terrain of the “Land of a Thousand Hills” to transporting goods and commuting to work, bicycles play a vital role in Rwandan culture and society. Rwanda aims to become a continental hub for sports, and hosting the 2025 UCI Road World Championships will boost cycling development activities in the country, provide employment to the people, and give an economic boost to the private sector, increasing the contribution of sports to the economy.

Cycling stands as one of the most popular sports in Rwanda. The nation has seen a surge in both recreational and competitive cycling, with the Tour du Rwanda becoming one of Africa’s premier cycling events, growing bigger each year. Rwanda’s renowned rolling hills offer the perfect terrain to balance difficulty and beauty for cyclists, nurturing a talented local cycling culture while drawing international competitors. The UCI Road World Championships coming to Kigali is a testament to Rwanda’s dedication to the sport and its potential to become a cycling destination of global significance.

But the significance of this event goes beyond just sport. It is an opportunity to showcase Rwanda to the world, highlighting its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. The championships will not only bring together elite cyclists from around the globe but also provide a platform to promote Rwanda as a thriving hub for tourism, investment, and opportunity.

For Rwandans, the event is a source of pride and inspiration. It is a chance to celebrate and demonstrate to the world how far Rwanda has come and the heights it continues to reach. As Kigali prepares to welcome the cycling world, the city buzzes with anticipation and excitement. From the city centre to the majestic hills, every corner of Kigali is ready to embrace the spirit of the championships and showcase the best of Rwanda to the world.

The 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali will be more than just a sporting event; it will be a celebration of Rwanda’s past, present, and future. It is a momentous occasion that will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of Rwandans to embrace the joy of cycling and continue reaching new heights.

RIDING NEW HEIGHTS

“Riding New Heights,” the strapline for Kigali 2025, encapsulates the spirit of the event, symbolizing not only the physical challenge of conquering Rwanda’s thousand hills but also the metaphorical journey of progress and achievement. From September 21st to 28th, 2025, the streets of Kigali will transform into the epicentre of global cycling, welcoming riders from across the world to compete in the most challenging race of all time. The event represents a celebration of Rwanda’s transformation, a showcase of African talent, and an invitation for the world to experience the beauty and vibrancy of this remarkable nation. With just one year to go, anticipation mounts, and the countdown to Kigali 2025 has begun. Get ready to witness history in the making as riders from around the globe come together to ride new heights in the heart of Africa.

UCI

Founded in 1900 in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms and for all people, as a competitive sport, a healthy leisure activity, and a sustainable means of transport, but also as a way to have fun.

It represents the interests of 197 National Federations, five Continental Confederations, more than 1,500 professional riders, a million licensed competitors, millions of cycling enthusiasts, and two billion bicycle users worldwide.

The UCI manages the development of cycling as a competitive sport and in all its other forms. It commits to reaching the highest standards in all its activities, maintaining a reputation as an International Federation of outstanding performance and integrity.

The UCI manages and promotes cycling’s eight disciplines: road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials, and indoor cycling. Five of these are featured in the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, and BMX Freestyle), two in the Paralympic Games (road and track), and four in the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike, BMX Racing, and BMX Freestyle). Cycling races have been held at every Olympic Games in the modern era, and today cycling is the third Olympic sport in terms of medals awarded (66) and athlete quotas (528) at the biggest sporting event on the planet.

To encourage the global and unified development of cycling, the UCI established the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in 2002. As well as serving as the UCI headquarters, this is also a high-level training and education centre which each year welcomes around 300 promising young athletes and people attending training courses in cycling professions. The UCI WCC’s programmes are designed to give all riders, irrespective of their origin or the resources available in their country, the opportunity to fulfil their potential at national or international levels.

Cycling is more than just a competitive sport; bicycles have many uses outside high-level sport, as a means of transport and leisure activity. This is why the UCI is developing its “cycling for all” programmes, aiming to improve conditions for bike riding and accessibility.