'Our own chance and opportunity' - Athletes celebrate first-ever women's under-23 standalone category at the Rwanda World Championships

KIGALI, RWANDA - SEPTEMBER 22: Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain competes during the 98th UCI Cycling World Championships Kigali 2025 - Women Under 23 Individual Time Trial a 22.6km race from Kigali to Kigali on September 22, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images).

There is history being made at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, and not just that it is the first time to be held in Africa, but it is also the first time the under-23 women have standalone events, with Great Britain's Zoe Bäckstedt claiming the rainbow jersey in the individual time trial on Monday with the next standalone event in the U23 women's road race on Thursday.

There were 50 riders from 30 nations registered for the hilly 22.6km course in Kigali, a larger field than the elite women's time trial held the previous day, won by Switzerland's Marlen Reusser.