Tadej Pogačar Claims Historic Second Straight UCI Road World Championship Title in Kigali
Slovenian cycling sensation Tadej Pogačar has etched his name even deeper into the sport’s history books, claiming back-to-back UCI Road World Championship titles in a breathtaking solo performance in Kigali, Rwanda. The 27-year-old champion completed the grueling 267.5-kilometer course in 6 hours, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds, holding off late surges from Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel and Ireland’s Ben Healy to secure his second consecutive rainbow jersey.
The victory marks another milestone in what has been a remarkable season for Pogačar, who also won his fourth Tour de France earlier this year. With his triumph in Kigali, he becomes one of the few cyclists to achieve back-to-back wins in both the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships.
A Solo Attack That Defined the Race
The elite men’s road race in Kigali was anticipated to be one of the most challenging editions of the World Championships to date. Rwanda, known as the “land of a thousand hills,” provided a brutal and unforgiving course with significant elevation, technical descents, and blistering heat. The event was also historic, being the first UCI Road World Championship ever held on African soil.
From the outset, it was clear that this race would be decided by strength, strategy, and sheer willpower. Pogačar, never one to wait for the sprint, chose to go on the offensive with just over 100 kilometers remaining—a bold and risky move that would ultimately define the race.
Initially, he was joined by Spain’s Juan Ayuso, a promising young rider and teammate on UAE Team Emirates, and Mexico’s Isaac Del Toro. The trio formed a powerful breakaway that quickly distanced itself from the peloton.
However, it wasn’t long before Pogačar started to push the tempo, testing the limits of his companions. Ayuso was the first to fall away, and soon after, Del Toro also began to struggle. With 66 kilometers still to race, Pogačar dropped the Mexican rider and launched a stunning solo effort that would carry him all the way to the finish line.
It was a familiar sight—Pogačar alone, head down, legs churning, seemingly unbothered by the searing Rwandan heat and endless climbs.
Unrelenting Effort in the Face of Brutal Conditions
Despite the beauty of the Kigali backdrop, the conditions were anything but serene. The course’s relentless undulations, combined with the altitude—approximately 1,000 meters higher than last year’s circuit in Switzerland—took their toll on the peloton.
Of the 165 elite riders who started the race, only 30 made it to the finish. That attrition rate, one of the highest in recent memory for a World Championship, underlined just how demanding the course truly was.
Yet Pogačar never showed signs of cracking. His ability to maintain a high tempo over the final 60 kilometers was nothing short of remarkable. Riding without teammates and without the security of a chasing group, he relied solely on his endurance, mental strength, and race instincts to manage his effort to perfection.
“It was like déjà vu from last year,” Pogačar said after the race. “I was alone again, just pushing and trying not to look back. The legs were good, but with so many climbs and no one to share the work, it gets harder and harder every lap.”
His lead hovered around two minutes for much of the second half of the race, but as the kilometers ticked down, the challenge from behind began to mount.
Remco Evenepoel’s Late Charge
Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, one of the sport’s premier time trialists and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, mounted a fierce challenge in the final 20 kilometers. Having recently secured his third straight individual time trial world title, Evenepoel was confident in his ability to time his effort perfectly.
With the peloton fractured and many of the early contenders dropped, Evenepoel attacked out of the reduced chase group in a last-ditch effort to close the gap to the Slovenian leader. For a moment, it looked like the impossible might happen.
Evenepoel steadily chipped away at Pogačar’s advantage, cutting the gap to under 90 seconds as they entered the final lap. But the Slovenian, as he has done so many times before, found another gear just when it mattered most.
Despite Evenepoel’s impressive effort, the chase ultimately fell short. As Pogačar crested the final climb and rolled into the finishing straight, he began to celebrate, arms raised in triumph, soaking in the moment of another historic win.
Evenepoel crossed the line 88 seconds later, taking the silver medal in a time of 6:22:48. Ireland’s Ben Healy, who had been among the most aggressive riders earlier in the race, held on for a well-earned bronze in 6:23:36.
A Historic Day for Rwanda and African Cycling
While the day belonged to Pogačar, it was also a moment of immense pride for Rwanda and the African continent. Hosting the UCI Road World Championships marked a new chapter in the globalization of cycling and a major recognition of Africa’s growing importance in the sport.
The crowds in Kigali turned out in full force, lining the streets, waving flags, and cheering passionately for every rider. For many, seeing the world’s best cyclists race through their city was a dream come true.
“This was more than a race—it was a celebration of African cycling,” said Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju. “Hosting the World Championships is a milestone not just for Rwanda, but for the entire continent.”
Pogačar echoed those sentiments, praising the organization and the spirit of the fans.
“It was an incredible experience altogether,” he said. “The people, the atmosphere, the scenery—it made the suffering worth it. I hope we can come back here more often.”
The Anatomy of a Champion
With this victory, Tadej Pogačar continues to redefine what is possible in modern road cycling. Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, the Slovenian rider has amassed an astonishing list of accomplishments: four Tour de France titles, two World Championships, multiple Monument wins, and an Olympic bronze medal.
Yet it is not just the number of victories that sets him apart—it’s the way he wins. Fearless, aggressive, and endlessly resilient, Pogačar races to win, often launching long-range attacks that few dare to attempt in the modern era.
His dominance in Kigali was a masterclass in timing, physical conditioning, and psychological strength. Racing alone for more than 60 kilometers, against a world-class field and in unforgiving terrain, he never once faltered.
“I doubted myself a little towards the end,” he admitted. “The energy and the resources were going down, and it was so hard over the final laps. But you push through, and you hope the line comes soon.”
For fans and analysts alike, Pogačar’s performance was a reminder that he is not just the best rider of his generation, but perhaps one of the greatest of all time.
Podium Finishers Reflect on a Grueling Battle
Remco Evenepoel, though disappointed to miss out on gold, was gracious in defeat and full of praise for his rival.
“Tadej was incredible today,” Evenepoel said. “I gave everything I had, and I have no regrets. He was simply the strongest. Sometimes in cycling, that’s just how it is.”
Ben Healy, meanwhile, was delighted with his bronze medal—his first at a World Championship.
“It was brutal out there,” Healy said. “Just making it to the finish line felt like a victory in itself. To come away with a medal—it’s amazing. The fans were incredible. What an atmosphere.”
Looking Ahead
With another rainbow jersey added to his collection, Pogačar will now look ahead to the final months of the 2025 season. While his plans remain unconfirmed, speculation is rife that he may target the Giro di Lombardia before taking a well-earned break.
Regardless of what comes next, his victory in Kigali will be remembered as one of the most impressive performances in the history of the sport. It was a race that had everything: courage, drama, resilience, and history. And at the center of it all stood Tadej Pogačar—once again proving why he is the king of the road.
Final Podium – 2025 UCI Road World Championships (Men’s Elite Road Race)**
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia) – 6:21:20
2. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) – +1:28 (6:22:48)
3. Ben Healy (Ireland) – +2:16 (6:23:36)
