The international cycling union UCI and the Rwandan cycling federation are currently in talks to bring the WorldTour to the African continent. This is stated by Samson Ndayishimiye – the chairman of the cycling federation – in an interview with the Walloon newspaper La Dernière Heure.
The Road Cycling World Championships in Rwanda were – to say the least – a much-discussed event. Some were very pleased with the very first elite Worlds on African soil, but at the same time there was a lot of criticism because it was a perfect opportunity for the dictatorial regime in Rwanda to polish its image.
From a sporting and organizational perspective, the event was considered a success by the UCI. The African country has also caught the bug and dreams of more. The Rwandan cycling federation and the international cycling union are currently exploring the possibility of establishing a new race.
Shared ambition
“We want the recent Worlds to leave a legacy,” outlines Ndayishimiye. “We are currently investigating the best way to approach this. We need to map out the optimal timing to organize a cycling race, but we also have to look at the best race format. We want to present a strong field of participants.”
The Tour du Rwanda already hosts an annual UCI 2.1 race on Rwandan soil. “However, the idea is to pursue a higher status.” Eventually, this race could even become part of the WorldTour. “The shared ambition is there, but we first need to analyze everything calmly, so we can make the right choices. There is no strict deadline, but the project could start in 2027.”
