Pogacar Clinches Kigali World Championship Title
The men’s road race at the World Championships in Kigali delivered a dramatic finale on a tough course highlighted by the Mount Kigali ascent and the pavé sections. The favorite duel between Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel ended with Pogacar crowned as world champion, while Evenepoel had to settle for second and Giulio Ciccone secured a top-6 result in a race that never gave spectators a moment’s rest.
Race dynamics on the pavé and the climb
With about 22 kilometres to go, Pogacar pressed his advantage, holding a solid 1 minute and 20 seconds lead over Evenepoel, who anchored a small chasing group including Skjelmose and Healy about 20 seconds adrift. The race had already shed many riders on the pavé, and the relentless gradients on the Muro di Kigali ensured the gaps would widen further as the finish approached.
Final laps and tactical play
As Pogacar pressed on the pavé, he repeatedly crossed the Muro di Kigali with a comfortable margin, staying well clear of a dynamic chase that included Del Toro and others. Evenepoel swapped bikes during a nervous phase and launched repeated accelerations to close the gap, joining up with a group that contained Ciccone and a crew of determined riders. The Belgian’s bold accelerations suggested the chase would be fierce, but Pogacar’s tempo remained steady and measured.
Mid-race regrouping and the Mount Kigali test
At around 90 kilometres to go, Pogacar and Del Toro had built a lead of about 50 seconds over a large chase peloton. By the time the field reached the mountaintop segments, the gap stretched and narrowed in waves, with Pogacar and Del Toro attacking again and again on the climbing pavé while the main group fought to bring back the time. Ayuso was among those who cracked on the most exposed sections, and the field’s dynamic shifted as riders tried to position themselves for the decisive run-in.
Chasing dynamics and final kilometres
With 97 kilometres remaining, Pogacar and Del Toro surged clear from the deeper part of the grupetto, opening a 30-second advantage on a chasing pack that still included Roglic, Skjelmose, Seixas, Sivakov and other strong riders. Evenepoel rejoined this group, but the day’s demands and Pogacar’s relentless pace appeared to be taking their toll. The final kilometres saw Pogacar maintain a consistent rhythm, aided by his sense of when to surge and when to wait for the line.
Ciccone’s solid ride and the final results
Behind Pogacar, Evenepoel fought valiantly to limit the damage and secure another podium in a World Championship that tested every ounce of power and strategy. Giulio Ciccone stuck with the leaders for much of the race and crossed the line in sixth place, a testament to his endurance on a demanding course that rewarded perseverance and tactical awareness as much as raw power.
The significance of the Kigali victory
With this win, Pogacar reinforces his status as one of the era’s defining riders, claiming the World Championship title on a course that demanded both climbing prowess and precision cycling. Evenepoel’s near-miss underscores that the battles at the top of professional cycling are far from over, while Ciccone’s top-6 performance adds momentum to his own campaign for seasonal consistency. The Kigali course, featuring the iconic Muro di Kigali pavé and a punishing climb, delivered a narrative that will be remembered as a highlight of this World Championship.
In a race that began with a shared sense of inevitability around Pogacar and Evenepoel, the Slovenian ultimately confirmed his status as world champion in a finale that showcased resilience, strategy, and a touch of audacity from the sport’s finest climbers.
