The men’s peloton is bracing itself for what many are calling the “hardest World Championships ever”. With the 2025 UCI Road Worlds heading to Kigali, Rwanda, Geraint Thomas has weighed in on the route, the contenders, and—most notably—the high-profile names who won’t make the start line.
Big Names Missing from Kigali
Speaking on his Watts Occurring podcast with Luke Rowe, Thomas made no secret of his disappointment: Van der Poel not going is a shame… if he’s absent, that’s a real loss for the race. Mads Pedersen not there either, which is surprising given his year.
Jonas Vingegaard, meanwhile, isn’t expected to shine on such a brutal one-day course. He isn’t known for one-day classics, Thomas admitted, suggesting teams may look elsewhere after long, draining Grand Tour campaigns.
A Brutal Course in Kigali
The men’s road race will cover 267.5 km with nearly 5,500 metres of climbing—a true war of attrition. Rwanda’s highland capital offers altitude between 1,100–1,500 metres, searing temperatures of 26–28°C, and cobbled climbs that promise chaos.
Rowe broke down the challenge: It’s 10 laps of a circuit then one lap of a bigger circuit with a bigger climb — 5.8 km at about 6.5%. Then you have the shorter 1.3 km at ~5.7% and a 0.7 km at ~8% each lap. It’s going to be death by a thousand cuts — a slow burn.
That final long climb on the last lap could be decisive, demanding both depth and tactical nous from teams.
The Favourites: Pogacar vs. Evenepoel
Few would argue with Rowe’s verdict on the riders to beat: Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel are the obvious two favourites. Pogacar’s had a strong year, you can never write him off. Remco will feel invincible after that TT.
Evenepoel, fresh from another devastating time trial display, thrives on big stages. Pogacar’s all-round brilliance makes him equally dangerous, particularly on a course blending long climbs, cobbles, and relentless heat.
British Cards and Outsiders
For Great Britain, all eyes are on Tom Pidcock. When he’s on, he can do it,
said Thomas. Rowe added: I’d have Tom as the main option and Hayter as a nice backup. I wouldn’t pick a single leader: I’d go in with two cards and let them both play if they’re there later in the race.
Beyond the obvious favourites, Rowe also tipped outsiders like Isaac Del Toro, while noting the Americans’ strength with riders such as Quinn Simmons, Brandon McNulty, and Neilson Powless.
Cobbles, Crowds, and Kigali’s Unique Atmosphere
The 1.3 km cobbled climb could define the race, not just physically but atmospherically. Thomas noted both the energy and potential risks: The TT looked great, but images show fans very close to the road. Rwanda isn’t a nation used to closed-road cycling events at that scale, so you hope the fans understand to keep off the road.
The crowds promise passion; the question is whether they’ll also bring unpredictability to an already chaotic race.
A Worlds That Must Be Earned
One thing is clear: Kigali 2025 will not hand out easy victories. The Worlds can be funny… but the winner is always worthy,
Thomas concluded. Whoever emerges in the rainbow jersey will have conquered altitude, cobbles, heat, and one of the most demanding courses ever designed for a World Championship.