First time UCI Road World Championships in Africa Rwanda 2025! Who’s in?

[milky4130]

3 hours ago, Andymann said:

How is it that countries like Rwanda and Eritrea were able to field teams of 6 riders and we only had one single rider?  Did they get special concessions as developing nations, or could we have also fielded a team of 6, but just didn't have the support from our Federation to make it happen?

 

South Africa only qualified 1 spot based off of UCI points. Eritrea is higher ranked than RSA but got 5  more but cant imagine that was the only criteria, they have African continent Champ as well. Rwanda got 6 as well but I'm guessing that is because they were the hosts.

RWC_2025_Qualification_System_ENG_Updated_July_2025.pdf

Edited September 29, 2025 by milky4130
Found the UCI Qualification Criteria

[DJuice]

1 hour ago, milky4130 said:

He stays on the same equipment, so I would not expect anything different, both old and new teams ride the Specialized brand.

Was thinking around the lines of what Dan Bigham can improve from, since Remco`s position is so good.

Spez being the clothing sponsor if there is possible gains from current setup?

 

[Jensie]

The Woman's race was so interesting that all the favorites cancelled each other out, The Late break riding away for the win, what a win by Mags deline from Canada 2nd ever win. Wow, was enjoying that

 

[J Wakefield]

Eritrea 41087 points 
South Africa 1319 points 
Depth at World Tour level with Kudus, Mulubrhan and Girmay is somewhat greater than SA riders
They perform better in continental races vs South Africa and accumulate more points 

[milky4130]

So by being ranked 16th at the time Eritrea outright qualified for 6 riders, RSA mustve been sitting just outside of Top 30 hence only a quota of 1 spot.

Edited September 29, 2025 by milky4130

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, SwissVan said:

Lack of financing would be my guess

Riders probably have to finance the whole trip themselves, and considering some riders will have trade team contracts to honour and the trade teams don’t care about world champs the contract that pays their salaries wins.

https://www.cyclingsa.com/south-africa-announces-team-for-historic-road-world-championships-in-rwanda-kigali-21-28-september-2025/

 

Only Byron was selected / qualified. There were two reserves but it appears we only has one spot allocated to RSA

[Shebeen]

34 minutes ago, J Wakefield said:

Eritrea 41087 points 
South Africa 1319 points 
Depth at World Tour level with Kudus, Mulubrhan and Girmay is somewhat greater than SA riders
They perform better in continental races vs South Africa and accumulate more points 

You missing a decimal point there captain, but point is solid.

We're ranked 31st on the UCI log, between Kazakstan and Russia (sure there is a cold war joke there!).

If South Africa was an individual, we'd be ranked 55th in the world, between Jan Christen and Tim Wellens. UAE actually has 7 individuals with more UCI points than our entire country. We're 2nd on the continent, but Bini has more than us on his own too.

Our highest ranking rider is currently Stefan de Bod, who is 324th in the world with 273 points. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DieselnDust]

5 minutes ago, milky4130 said:

So by being ranked 16th at the time Eritrea outright qualified for 6 riders, RSA mustve been sitting just outside of Top 30 hence only a quota of 1 spot.

Ya people seem to forget that Eritrea had a sprinter in the World Tour earning them loads of UCI points while RSA.........🦗

[J Wakefield]

59 minutes ago, milky4130 said:

So by being ranked 16th at the time Eritrea outright qualified for 6 riders, RSA mustve been sitting just outside of Top 30 hence only a quota of 1 spot.

31st 

[Eugene Oppelt]

Started cycling in 2008 after too many running injuries. It has taught me how to endure, persevere and reduce life stress and showed me weekends adventures with friends and takes me up those damn beautiful high mountains.

Let it spread.

📸 veloncc 

[betaboy]

Pretty crazy so many riders pulled out… not exactly a good showcase. Brutal course, only for the brave.

[babse]

On 9/28/2025 at 9:07 PM, DieselnDust said:

Where’s all the Remco going to crush Pogi In the road race pundits now?

Not now. In the Tour next year 🤣

[Bub Marley]

20 hours ago, Bub Marley said:

Did the saddle drop before the climb? 

Well Remco’s mechanic has just thrown him under the bus and confirmed his seat height was exactly the same so nothing dropped. Probably doesn’t make any difference but maybe the gap would’ve been closer if he didn’t waste his time whacking the saddle and stopping on the side of the road. 

[DieselnDust]

8 minutes ago, Bub Marley said:

Well Remco’s mechanic has just thrown him under the bus and confirmed his seat height was exactly the same so nothing dropped. Probably doesn’t make any difference but maybe the gap would’ve been closer if he didn’t waste his time whacking the saddle and stopping on the side of the road. 

you mean throwing a tantrum and abusing his bike 

[Shebeen]

18 hours ago, Eugene Oppelt said:

 

 

 

 

One could say Pog won so tactics were spot on.

But still blows my mind that attacking the peleton at 104km is not even questioned anymore. Surely there are higher percentage places to go off the front? He still had plenty of teammates around too.

Sure it was the main hill, and the subsequent Mur he dropped the one coleader too.

 

with the ease he seemingly dropped Remco, he could have done the same 30km out too on one of those nasty ramps.

 

Seems like one of these long range attacks by Pog is eventually going to come a cropper when a well paced chase mows him down, but maybe I am just a couch warrior who doesn't know his place?

 

 

 

[DieselnDust]

1 hour ago, Shebeen said:

One could say Pog won so tactics were spot on.

But still blows my mind that attacking the peleton at 104km is not even questioned anymore. Surely there are higher percentage places to go off the front? He still had plenty of teammates around too.

Sure it was the main hill, and the subsequent Mur he dropped the one coleader too.

 

with the ease he seemingly dropped Remco, he could have done the same 30km out too on one of those nasty ramps.

 

Seems like one of these long range attacks by Pog is eventually going to come a cropper when a well paced chase mows him down, but maybe I am just a couch warrior who doesn't know his place?

 

 

 

The closer to the finish the attack the more motivated the group around you will be to ensure you don't go anywhere. Attack from 100k out and they think about it a little too long