I usually take it easy on Sundays. Yesterday, my 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 donned a rainbow jersey. At some point, a nagging thought crept in—I was missing out. Why am I lounging on my couch watching this on TV when it’s happening right here in Kigali?
That thought was all it took. I ditched the screen, laced up my sneakers, and made my way toward the KCC roundabout fan zone. By the time I got there, the women’s race was long over, but the roundabout had been transformed into a vibrant global stage. The place was electric—flags waving, screams piercing the air, and music blasting through 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 in cheers. He might not have been contending for a podium spot, clocking in at 56:41, but the love and encouragement from the crowd were overwhelming—flags waving, whistles blasting, and voices shouting his name.
And then came the crowning moment: Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel powering across the finish line to claim his third consecutive world title. The roar of the crowd 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 thinking had morphed into a festival ground with giant screens, booming speakers, and strangers becoming instant friends over shared adrenaline.
And this was only Day 1. The week-long mega event is just getting started, with 13 rainbow jerseys on the line—time trials, road races, juniors, elites, and even the first ever Women’s U23 title. This edition is being hailed as the toughest in the event’s history. Riders face relentless challenges—steep, punishing climbs that test every ounce of strength, and stretches of cobblestone that demand both skill and sheer resilience. It’s a course designed not just to separate the fastest, but to push every competitor to their absolute limit, making every pedal stroke a battle and every finish line a hard-earned triumph. Kigali isn’t just hosting—it’s challenging the best riders in the world to dig deeper.
Standing there, capturing the spirt of 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.