Tour du Rwanda underway safely as UCI stay strong amid EU call to cancel Kigali Worlds

Frenchman Fabien Doubey leads, but Mulubrhan and Habteab impress with much climbing still to come

Feb 27, 2025

The peloton on stage two. Image: Tour du Rwanda

We’re now halfway through the 2025 Tour du Rwanda. As has been the case for several editions of this race, the European-based riders are dominating.

The Tour du Rwanda is Africa’s biggest race, but it takes on greater significance in 2025 with the World Championships in Kigali later this year.

With recent safety concerns arising, driven by conflict in neighbouring DR Congo after allegedly Rwandan-backed rebels seized control of border city of Goma, the Tour du Rwanda is a key temperature-check for the viability for the first African UCI Road Worlds as the sport’s governing body face questions.

All reports on the ground at the race confirm that the Tour du Rwanda has been a completely safe event up to now, even as riders finished in the Rwanda-DRC border town of Rubavu on stage three.

Tensions continue to intensify between the DRC and Rwanda, with the Congolese planning their route to re-take Goma. In the last week, the UN have urged Rwanda to cease their support of the M23 group - which the Rwandans have always denied. Around 7,000 people are reported to have been killed in the Kivu conflict over the last month, as M23 move to take another major DRC city.

UCI President David Lappartient has been in Rwanda this week to announce a new UCI World Cycling Centre regional satellite centre being launched in the country. He also spoke to Cyclingnews and reiterated that there is no ‘plan B’ Worlds being arranged should the Rwandan event fall through for whatever reason. He also spoke about addressing financial and logistical pressures on national federations.

Simultaneously, Relevo were first to report that the European parliament are calling for the World Championships in Rwanda to be moved due to the Rwandans’ role in the Kivu conflict. It’s unclear how much direct impact the European parliament can have upon the UCI, but it’s significant pressure for Lappartient as a candidate for the top job at the International Olympic Committee.

National federations have spoken about issues with the cost of participating in the Worlds, with hotel prices said to be sky-high. An assessment of the Championships’ viability will be made after the Tour du Rwanda concludes, according to Tuttobiciweb.it, with mitigations such as charter flights and specified team hotels being considered. The UCI Board will meet with representatives of several national federations in the coming weeks.

Tuttobiciweb.it spoke to Rwandan Sports Minister Nelly Mukazayire, who said:

"Safety is our top priority. We are fully aware of the situation in the border region and are working closely with all relevant authorities to ensure the safety and protection of all participants and spectators during the Cycling World Championships…We are certain that the situation in the border region will not affect the championships."

Mukazayire went on to describe the positive impact that the Worlds in Rwanda will have on the country and the sport across Africa, driving home the importance of keeping the event in Kigali.

"The Cycling World Championships will have a transformative impact on the future of cycling in Rwanda. They will inspire a new generation of cyclists, increase the sport's impact within the country, and provide valuable experience for our athletes…This championship will be a catalyst for the continued growth and development of cycling in Rwanda, and we believe it will contribute to the overall development of sports in our country and Africa as a whole."

“We are confident that the benefits of hosting the Championships, including promoting cycling in Africa, showcasing Rwanda's beauty and progress, and boosting our economy, far outweigh any potential risks," Mukazayire added.

Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands have already declared that they will send reduced delegations to the Championships due to the costs. Mukazayire said that the government and event organisers are working with national teams on this.

"We have been in contact with various national federations regarding participation in the World Championships. We understand that cost considerations are an important factor for many teams. While we have worked to provide a range of accommodation options, including more affordable alternatives, we also recognise that participating in a global event involves costs. We are committed to transparency in our pricing. We are open to discussing any specific concerns federations might have and will continue to work with all participating nations to make this championship a success. It is important to note that we have received strong interest from many other nations and are confident of strong participation."

In particular at the Tour du Rwanda, Wednesday’s stage three finish into Rubavu and subsequent stage start from the same town just 14km away from Goma, would give a clear indication to Rwanda’s ability to put on a safe major event as the conflict rolls on. Five civilians have been killed in Rubavu over the last month in fighting between Rwandan and Congolese military.

The crowds have been out to support the riders as usual. Image: Tour du Rwanda

The race so far

The 2025 Tour du Rwanda kicked off with a short 3.4km prologue in Kigali. It was won by first-year under-23 rider Aldo Taillieu of Lotto Development team. The stage gave an early advantage to several GC riders, with Pavel Sumpik and Adria Pericas both in the top-10 with Henok Mulubrhan not far behind. Young South African Joshua Dike was the best performing African on the stage - 13th at +12 seconds.

The first road stage was won in a tight photo-finish between Henok Mulubrhan and Rotem Tene, with the Eritrean reigning champion getting the better of the young Israeli rider. Taillieu faded and TotalEnergies rider Fabian Doubey took the lead.

It was a first trip in to the big hills on stage two, and the peloton felt it. In a reduced finish, with just 29 left in the front group, it was Australian Brady Gilmore of Israel-Premier Tech who took his first pro win ahead of team-mate Itamar Einhorn. Several GC hopefuls such as Rwandans Eric Muhoza and Samuel Niyonkuru, young Czech Pavel Sumpik and Kiya Rogora lost significant time.

Brady Gilmore doubled-up on stage three into Rubavu in a reduced group of 19, with small splits within that group. Gilmore was dominant in the sprint, putting bike-lengths into young Eritrean Yoel Habteab, the Bike Aid rider a solid second. Mulubrhan was third and moved up to 5th on GC - he would be higher if there were bonus seconds for podium placings in the Tour du Rwanda.

Going into the final four stages, with most of the climbing still to come, 15 riders sit within a minute of Doubey’s lead. They include Mulubrhan, plus fellow Eritreans Nahom Zeray and Habteab. Two Rwandans are part of that elite group, with Vainqueur Masengesho putting looking to build on his strong 2024 alongside Eric Manizabayo, who was 15th here last year. Others such as Adria Pericas, Moritz Kretschy and Milan Donie will hope to challenge for the podium in Kigali on Sunday.

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Race Round-up

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