UCI Road World Championships 2025

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UCI Road World Championships overview

The 98th edition of the UCI Road World Championships, which was first contested for amateurs in 1921, is set to take place on the African continent for the first time in its history, with the cycling-mad country of Rwanda hosting the race in the capital, Kigali.

The location is causing consternation for some federations who are worried about safety due to the country's conflict with neighboring Congo and the budget-busting costs of travel.

Soudal-Quickstep pulled its team from the Tour of Rwanda earlier this year for the same reasons.

However, the country has a long history of safely holding their national tour, and the Rwanda Worlds courses are some of the most challenging in the history of the world championships.

And, if the images from the Tour of Rwanda are indicative of the national interest, there will be some of the biggest crowds of fans ever seen at a UCI World Championship.

UCI Road World Championships facts and figures

First edition: Race for amateurs began in 1921

First UCI Road World Champion: Sweden’s Gunnar Sköld

First edition with professionals: In 1927 the first Championships for professional men took place in Nürburgring, Germany

First women's race at event: In 1958 the women's road race was added to the program

First woman to win a rainbow jersey: Luxembourg’s Elsy Jacobs

Most world titles: French rider Jeannie Longo won five rainbow jerseys in the road race and four more in the individual time trial

Youth categories: Dedicated races and medals were introduced in 1975

Most recent event added to schedule: The team time trial mixed relay was put on the schedule in 2019

U23 Women's titles: 2022 was the first year titles were awarded to U23 women in the time trial and road race, with the winner being the first under-23 rider over the line in the elite women's events

U23 Women stand-alone events: The category will have its own races on the schedule from 2025