U23 Women’s Road Race: 50 Riders Drop Out, Including Four Rwandans, as France’s Gery Célia Strikes Gold

This first-ever U23 women’s race in Rwanda brought together 85 riders from 40 nations. The course, starting and finishing at the Kigali Convention Centre, required eight laps through Nyarutarama, Gishushu, Kimicanga, and the challenging cobbled climb of Kimihurura, known as “Kwa Mignonne.” The steep climbs and rolling terrain gradually wore down the peloton.

The race’s brutality was evident too early. Two riders crashed within the first three kilometers, and others —from Benin, Tunisia, Cameroon, Namibia, and Russia — withdrew due to mechanical issues or exhaustion. With each lap, the field thinned, leaving only the strongest in contention.

Rwanda relied on Charlotte Iragena, Jazilla Mwamikazi, Martha Ntakirutimana, and Claudette Nyirarukundo. The home quartet could not complete the race. Iragena exited after the fourth lap, Ntakirutimana and Nyirarukundo fell out in the middle stages, and Mwamikazi withdrew later. This mirrors the 2024 race in Zurich, where all three Rwandan riders also failed to finish.

At the front, France’s Gery Célia combined strategy and strength to win gold medal and rainbow jersey in 3 hours, 24 minutes, and 26 seconds. Slovakia’s Viktória Chladonová took a silver medal, two seconds behind. The battle for bronze medal was closely contested: Spain’s Paula Blasi, Germany’s Linda Riedmann, and France’s Marion Bunel all finished 12 seconds behind the winner, with Blasi claiming third, Riedmann fourth, and Bunel fifth.

This race will be remembered for its toughness. With 50 riders failing to finish — including all four Rwandans — Kigali’s circuit proved relentless. 

For Rwanda, women riders have been unable to complete the race in two consecutive years ( 2024 in Zudich and 2025 in Kigali). This highlights both the challenge of competing at this level and the need to build more experience and stamina in women’s cycling.

Yet, the exposure offers valuable lessons for the country’s emerging cyclists and a foundation for growth on the international stage.

See some photos of this fourth day of course: