Magdeleine Vallieres Mill delivered a career-defining masterclass on the punishing streets of Kigali, attacking on the final cobbles of Côte de Kimihurura to become Canada’s first UCI Women’s Elite Road Race World Champion.
She finished in 4:34:48, with an average speed of 35.8 km/h, 23 seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black, with Spain’s Margarita García Canellas taking bronze at 4:35:15.
Vollering, Férrand-Prévot, Longo Borghini, Le Court de Billot or Reusser?
The Women Elite ready for the start of the Women Elite Road Race in Kigali
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With Demi Vollering, Pauline Férrand-Prévot, Elisa Longo Borghini, Kim Le Court de Billot and brand new Time Trial World Champion Marlen Reusser, the peloton knew the strong favourites for this race.
Even more so, because of notable absentees, like defending champion Lotte Kopecky, who opted out after a disrupted season, and Denmark’s Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig who withdrew during the week. Great Britain did not start despite having six allocated places..
Despite these absences, the course and conditions produced constant aggression, an early long-range solo, repeated counters and finally one perfectly judged acceleration that crowned Canada’s first women’s road world champion.
Early attacks by Schrempf, Vas, Van de Velde and van Anrooij
Carina Schrempf breaks away solo and opens the Women Elite Road Race
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The 164.6 kilometre circuit packed in 11 laps and 3,350 metres of climbing, its twin teeth the Côte de Kigali Golf and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura. Heat and altitude added to the challenge as 104 riders from 44 nations started, but the first lap already thinned the bunch and left Mauritian favourite Kim Le Court de Billot isolated.
Austria’s Carina Schrempf made the first decisive move before the second ascent of Kigali Golf, quickly gaining more than three minutes. The peloton, guided mainly by Italy and the Netherlands, let her go, but never fully relaxed.
Behind Schrempf, Hungary’s Blanka Vas attacked after Spain’s Usoa Ostolaza moved clear, Belgium’s Julie Van de Velde chased, and the Dutch began rotating pressure through Femke de Vries, Yara Kastelijn and Shirin van Anrooij, with the last launching a solo attack.
Mid-race shake-ups and a select lead group comprising Vallieres Mill, Fisher-Black, García, Markus and Niedermaier
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill, Niamh Fisher-Black, Mavi García, Riejanne Markus and Antonia Niedermaier
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Van Anrooij’s solo push lasted deep into the race but was reeled in with around 55km to go. Immediately, Switzerland’s Noemi Rüegg and Spain’s Mireia Benito countered and carved out a half-minute advantage while Australia steadied the pace behind. With three laps left, the race began splintering: Amanda Spratt’s acceleration forced the favourites forward, France committed to the chase, and with only 30km left, defending champion Anna van der Breggen was dropped.
A select group of ten emerged, comprising Magdeleine Vallieres Mill, Niamh Fisher-Black, Mavi García, Riejanne Markus, Antonia Niedermaier and others. From behind, world time trial champion Marlen Reusser surged and linked up with Silvia Malcotti and Elise Chabbey to form a dangerous chase. The peloton was now two minutes adrift, and it was clear the rainbow jersey would come from the front.
Decisive moves on Côte the Kigali Golf and Côte de Kimihurura
The decisive attack by Magdeleine Vallieres Mill on Côte du Kimihurura
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With about 20km left, Mavi García attacked on the penultimate ascent of Kigali Golf, drawing Magdeleine Vallieres Mill and Niamh Fisher-Black clear. Niedermaier clawed back while Riejanne Markus dangled just behind. Chabbey jumped from the chasers to try to bridge but hovered at 20 seconds as the leaders hesitated.
Sensing vulnerability and knowing she could not beat Fisher-Black in a sprint, Vallieres Mill chose her moment perfectly. With only two kilometres to go, on the final ascent of the cobbled Kimihurura, she attacked hard. The gap opened instantly and Mavi García and Fisher-Black were left chasing shadows.
A historic finish for Magdeleine Vallieres
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill becomes the Women Elite Road Race World Champion
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Magdeleine Vallieres crested the final climb alone and powered up the punishing last ramp to secure Canada’s first-ever women’s elite world road title. Fisher-Black held on for silver, just ahead of García in bronze. Elise Chabbey arrived fourth at 41 seconds, Markus fifth at 57 seconds, and Demi Vollering led the favourites’ group 1:34 back in seventh.
“The girls believed in me, so I believed in myself,” Vallieres said after the finish. “I prepared well and knew I was on good form. I told myself I didn’t want to have any regrets. I knew I probably wouldn’t win in a sprint against Niamh because she’s so strong. When I saw she was fading, I had to go all in and try something. It worked out in the end.”
Tough day for hosts Nirere Xaveline, Ingabire Diane, Irakoze Neza Violette and Nzayisenga Valentine
Nirere Xaveline, Ingabire Diane, Irakoze Neza Violette and Nzayisenga Valentine greeting the Rwandan crowd before the race
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The home squad fielded four riders: Nirere Xaveline, Ingabire Diane, Irakoze Neza Violette and Nzayisenga Valentine, but despite brave efforts and strong local support, each dropped out at various stages of the demanding race.
Women’s Elite Road Race: Top 10 Results
- Magdeleine Vallieres Mill (CAN): 4:34:48
- Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL): + 23 seconds
- Margarita García Canellas (ESP): + 27 seconds
- Elise Chabbey (SUI): + 41 seconds
- Riejanne Markus (NED): + 57 seconds
- Antonia Niedermaier (GER): + 1:17
- Demi Vollering (NED): + 1:34
- Kim Le Court de Billot (MRI): + 1:34
- Marlen Reusser (SUI): + 1:34
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney (POL): + 1:34
