Top Cyclists Prepare to Conquer the Kigali Wall at 2025 UCI Road World Championship

Riders brace for altitude, heat, and steep gradients in Rwanda’s historic race

The world’s top cyclists have descended on Kigali, Rwanda, for the 2025 UCI Road World Championship, with all eyes on one of the most daunting challenges in recent cycling history the Kigali Wall. The steep, punishing climb has already earned a reputation as the defining feature of the championship course.

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Serbia’s Tadej Pogacar, both considered favorites, have been reconnoitering the course in the days leading up to Sunday’s men’s road race, the climactic finale of the tournament.

The Kigali Wall: A Brutal Test

The Kigali Wall is more than just another climb. Known for its sharp gradients and technical difficulty, the ascent pushes riders to their limits. The climb forms part of a circuit that culminates on Mount Kigali, reaching 1,800 meters above sea level.

Unlike European classics that test endurance in cold or wet weather, the Kigali Wall presents a unique mix of challenges—steep climbs combined with Africa’s equatorial climate. Riders will need to balance power with strategy to survive the punishing ascent multiple times.

Environmental Challenges Add to the Pain

Cyclists preparing for Sunday’s showdown have been grappling with conditions far removed from Europe’s spring and summer races. The Rwandan capital currently sits at 27°C, with riders battling:

• Thin air at altitude (1,800m) reducing aerobic performance

• Poor air quality complicating breathing on climbs

• Intense UV exposure demanding strict hydration and skin protection

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For Evenepoel, the altitude has been a game-changer:

“You knew you wouldn’t achieve the wattages you normally achieve. It’s all about going by feel,” he admitted after testing the climb.

This shift forces riders to lean on experience and instinct rather than relying solely on power meters and data.

A Race for the History Books

The Kigali circuit has already been described as one of the toughest courses in championship history, combining African terrain with international competition at the highest level. Riders will face relentless climbs, heat, and attrition, making Sunday’s finale as much about resilience and survival as it is about tactics and raw power.

The inclusion of the Kigali Wall underscores Rwanda’s ambition to cement its place on the global sporting map, not just as a host but as a country capable of staging a world-class endurance event.

Spotlight on the Favorites

While Evenepoel and Pogacar are expected to dominate headlines, the unpredictability of the Kigali course leaves room for surprises. Riders who thrive in extreme heat or altitude may find themselves in contention, particularly those with strong climbing pedigrees and endurance experience in diverse conditions.

The race is also a symbolic moment for African cycling. Competing on home soil, African riders are looking to showcase their ability against the world’s best, with hopes that the championship will inspire a new generation of cyclists across the continent.

Anticipation Builds for Sunday’s Finale

Sunday’s men’s road race marks the final event of the 2025 UCI Road World Championship, bringing together the sport’s elite for one last test of grit and endurance. For fans in Kigali and around the globe, the showdown on the Kigali Wall promises to be a dramatic and historic moment in cycling.

Whether it’s Pogacar, Evenepoel, or an underdog who conquers the climb, one thing is certain: the Kigali Wall will define this year’s champion.

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