I usually take it easy on Sundays. Yesterday, the plan was simple: kick back, relax, and watch the UCI 2025 Road World Championships on TV. I followed the Women’s Elite Time Trial from home, coffee in hand, as Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser claimed the rainbow jersey. Then, at some point, a nagging thought crept in. I was missing out. Why was I sitting on my couch watching this on TV when it was happening right here in Kigali?
That thought was all it took. I ditched the screen, laced up my sneakers, and headed toward the KCC roundabout fan zone. By the time I arrived, the women’s race was long over, but the roundabout had been transformed into a vibrant global stage. Flags were waving, screams pierced the air, and music blasted from giant speakers. This was the liveliest block party in town.
I squeezed into the crowd just in time for the most thrilling moments of the men’s Elite Time Trial. As our very own Shemu Nsengiyumva approached the finish line, the fan zone erupted. He might not have been contending for a podium spot, finishing in 56:41, but the love and encouragement from the crowd were overwhelming. Flags waved, whistles blasted, and voices rang out with his name.
Then came the crowning moment. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel powered across the finish line to claim his third consecutive world title. The roar around me was electrifying. For a moment, it didn't matter that I wasn't Belgian or even a hardcore cycling fan. In that fan zone, we were all part of the same heartbeat, caught up in the shared excitement of witnessing history unfold.
The thing about being there wasn't just the racing. It was the vibe. A roundabout I usually cruise past without a second thought had transformed into a festival ground, complete with giant screens, booming speakers, and strangers becoming instant friends through shared adrenaline.
And this was only Day 1.
The week-long mega event is just getting started, with 13 rainbow jerseys on the line across time trials, road races, juniors, elites, and the first-ever Women’s U23 title. This edition is being hailed as the toughest in the event’s history. Riders face relentless challenges, from steep, punishing climbs that test every ounce of strength to stretches of cobblestone that demand both skill and sheer resilience.
This is a course designed not just to separate the fastest riders from the rest, but to push every competitor to the absolute limit. Every pedal stroke becomes a battle, and every finish line a hard-earned triumph. Kigali isn't just hosting the world's best riders. It is challenging them to dig deeper.
Standing there, surrounded by cycling enthusiasts from all over the world, I realized I wasn't just watching a race. I was witnessing history in the making. For the first time, the UCI Road World Championships are happening on African soil, in my city.Getting out there and being part of the action was absolutely the right move.