Rwanda Hosts Historic 194th UCI Congress Amidst First African Road World Championships

Kigali Welcomes Global Cycling Community

The Rwandan capital of Kigali has become the epicenter of the global cycling world, hosting the 194th Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Congress and the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. This landmark event, taking place from September 21 to 28, 2025, signifies a historic moment as it is the first time the UCI Road World Championships have been held on the African continent in the event's 103-year history.

Key Decisions and Leadership at the UCI Congress

The 194th UCI Congress, an Elective Congress, convened on September 25, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre. A significant outcome was the re-election of David Lappartient as UCI President for a third four-year term, extending his leadership until 2029. The Congress saw representatives from 117 UCI-member National Federations from five continents in attendance. During the proceedings, the National Federation of the Kingdom of Tonga was officially affiliated, increasing the total number of UCI-affiliated federations to 206. Furthermore, the Congress approved the 2024 UCI Annual Report and the 2026 budget, highlighting the UCI's strong financial standing for the upcoming 2025-2028 Olympic cycle. New members were also elected to the UCI Management Committee, including Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, President of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation, who became the first Malaysian to hold a vice-president position.

Championships Showcase Challenging African Terrain

The 98th edition of the UCI Road World Championships features eight days of competition and a total of thirteen events, including various road races, individual time trials, and a team time trial mixed relay. A notable development for this year's championships is the introduction of the first-ever standalone women's Under-23 race. The courses around Kigali are anticipated to be exceptionally demanding, with the elite men's race featuring over 5400 meters of elevation gain. Kigali's altitude of 1850 meters further contributes to what many are calling one of the most difficult World Championships courses in history. The event is expected to reach a vast audience, with broadcasts in 124 countries and an estimated 330 million+ TV viewers.

Rwanda's Commitment to Cycling Development

Rwandan President Paul Kagame addressed the Congress, underscoring Africa's deep connection to cycling and the nation's significant investments in developing the sport. He highlighted the establishment of three UCI satellite centers in Rwanda, which provide African riders with access to training and coaching. President Kagame emphasized the responsibility of sports governing bodies to expand access and praised the UCI's leadership in this regard. UCI President David Lappartient commended Rwanda for its role in hosting the World Championships. Cycling holds a prominent place in Rwanda, being the country's second most popular sport after football, and the nation is often referred to as the 'land of a thousand hills,' a characteristic that defines the challenging race routes.