France’s Célia Gery has claimed the gold medal in the UCI Women’s Under 23 Road Race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali in a thrilling display of cycling prowess.
After a tough finale, Gery managed to hold off Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonová thanks to fantastic work by her teammate Marion Brunel and claimed the first-ever world title in the Women’s Under-23 category.
Julia Kopecky and Malwina Mul break open the race
Julia Kopecky breaks open the race
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
Although the race only really opened up late, after accelerations by Julia Kopecky (SVK) and Malwina Mul (CZE), it had already been a very tough contest up to that point. A major selection followed, with only 20 riders still in contention for the win. Among them were three strong French riders, Julie Bego, Marion Brunel, and Célia Gery, who would go on to make perfect use of their numerical advantage in the run to the finish.
Bego was the first to make a move, launching an attack along with Justyna Czapla (GER) and Anina Hutter (SUI). Later, Spain’s Paula Blasi also bridged across, but the break was quickly reeled in. The race was now truly on.
A strong solo effort by Poland’s Malwina Mul followed, but she was caught on Mount Kimihurura by Célia Gery and Viktoria Chladonová. The three were already showing that they were among the strongest in the race and serious contenders for the win.
Stina Kavegi reaches for the title but gets caught by Viktoria Chladonová
Stina Kavegi breaks away
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
The pace dropped slightly, allowing 11 more riders to rejoin. Everything would be decided in the final lap, with Cote de Golf Kigali and Kimihurura serving as the ultimate tests.
It was Sweden’s Stina Kagevi who lit the fuse, quickly building up a 27-second lead. There was a brief moment of hesitation in the peloton, but after an acceleration by Chladonová on the Côte de Kigali Golf, the gap was closed. The côte de Kimihurura awaited.
On Kimihurura, Paula Blasi set a strong pace, but it was France’s Marion Brunel who caused the decisive selection.
Marion Brunel, Célia Gery and Viktoria Chladonová
Célia Gery takes the win before Viktoria Chladonová
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
Three riders remained: two French riders – Marion Brunel and Célia Gery – and Slovakia’s Viktoria Chladonová. But the French had the perfect plan and played it out to perfection. Marion Brunel gave everything she had, allowing Gery to save her strength.
Chladonová then started the sprint early, but quickly got overruled by Gery, who then got to raise her arms and claimed the first-ever Women U23 World Championship title. Chladonová passed the line in second place.
“It’s unbelievable. It was a long wait, but it’s amazing. It was a masterpiece for the team. There were only three of us, but we managed to race perfectly. We had three very strong girls, and Marion was amazing at the finish,” Gery said after the finish.
No reward for Brunel as Paula Blasi Cairol clinches last-minute bronze for Spain
Paula Blasi Cairol takes the bronze,
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
Although it looked like Marion Brunel would get the perfect reward for her amazing work, two riders came back with an ultimate effort for the bronze medal. On the line, it was Spain’s Paula Blasi Cairol who took the bronze medal, throwing her wheel forward in front of Italy’s Eleonora Ciaboccona, finishing just 12 seconds behind Célia Gery.
Tough day for local riders Jazilla, Nyirarukundo, Ntakirutimana and Iragena
Claudette Nyirarukundo
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
Jazilla Mwamikazi
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
It was a difficult day for the whole peloton, with only 35 riders out of the starting field managing to complete the demanding race. Sadly, the same can be said for the four contending local Rwandan riders, Mwamikazi Jazilla, Nyirarukundo Claudette, Ntakirutimana Martha and Iragena Charlotte, who were unable to finish the race. Despite their best efforts, the harsh course and fierce competition proved too much, but the fans were proud to see the efforts they put on the line defending the Rwandan colours.
Women Under 23 Road Race: Top 10 Results
- Célia Gery (FRA): 3:24:26
- Viktoria Chladonová (SVK): +2 seconds
- Paula Blasi Cairol (ESP): + 12 seconds
- Eleonora Ciabocco (ITA): s.t.
- Marion Bunel (FRA): s.t.
- Isabella Holmgren (CAN): +17 seconds
- Alena Ivanchenko (AIN): +20 seconds
- Lore de Schepper (BEL): +25 seconds
- Talia Appleton (AUS): +31 seconds
- Linda Riedmann (GER): +54 seconds
