This is a major first for African cycling, and one that will surely go down in history. The Road World Championships are being held until Sunday, September 28, in Kigali, Rwanda. Never before have the rainbow jerseys been up for grabs in Africa. Editions organized outside of Europe are rare: two have been held in the United States, as many in Canada and Australia, while Japan, Qatar, Venezuela, and Colombia have hosted the World Championships once. For its debut in the big leagues, Rwanda promises a memorable competition.
A five-star cast
The course is being billed as "the toughest in history": the 267,5-kilometer Elite men's race will feature 5.475 meters of elevation gain as it passes through the Gulf of Kigali coast (800 m at 8,1%), Mount Kigali (5,9 km at 6,9%) and the Kigali Wall (400 m at 11%). In the women's race, the peloton will have to tackle 164,6 kilometers and 3.350 meters of elevation gain. The time trial will also be demanding with three climbs for the women and four for the men. The promise of a great sporting spectacle, and some great winners.
Questions have been raised about security and logistics. Several countries have decided to send smaller selections to limit costs. It's true that it costs the federation a lot. ", acknowledges Nathalie Clauwaert, the general director of Belgian Cycling, interviewed by RTBF. The Belgian Federation devotes a budget of 250.000 euros to these World Championships, or 10% of its annual budget." in high-level sport "There will still be some great names: reigning Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, Eritrean star Biniam Girmay, double world champion Julian Alaphilippe, Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock, Mexican star Isaac Del Toro, not forgetting the formidable Slovenian duo of Primoz Roglic, five Grand Tours winners, and Tadej Pogacar.
The reigning world champion has lived up to his rainbow jersey this year by winning 16 times, including the overall classification, in the Tour de France. He could become the eighth man in history to retain his title, joining Peter Sagan, Rik Van Steenbergen, Georges Ronsse, Rik Van Looy, Gianni Bugno, Paolo Bettini, and Julian Alaphilippe. The women's race also promises an epic battle with the last three Tour de France winners, Demi Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, as well as Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Amanda Spratt, and Elisa Longo Borghini.
A million spectators?
These World Championships fulfill a long-standing promise made by UCI President David Lappartient. This was my dream, my goal, when I was elected.he confided. Africa is developing, cycling in Africa is developing and there is no reason why we cannot go there, after more than a century of World Championship history. » The choice of the land of a thousand hills, in September 2018, follows a certain logic: although Morocco had been mentioned for a while, Kigali provided more guarantees thanks to the Tour of Rwanda. This historic event on the African circuit has continued to grow in popularity in recent years, to the point of attracting teams that have competed in the Tour de France, such as Groupama-FDJ, Israel-Premier Tech, and TotalEnergies. A guarantee of expertise and popular success. A million spectators are expected along the roadsides next weekend.
The country has made significant efforts to raise awareness of itself beyond the genocide of the last century. "Visit Rwanda" is emblazoned on the jerseys of several major football clubs: Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern. Cycling's annual grand finale is a golden opportunity to showcase its best side. And to remind the entire Olympic Movement that Africa is ready to play a central role.
