Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogačar has secured his second consecutive world road race title, winning the event in Kigali, Rwanda, on Sunday, September 28. The 267.5-kilometer course was completed in six hours, 21 minutes, and 20 seconds, with Pogačar defending his title from last year’s event in Zurich.

The week-long global cycling event, hosted in Africa for the first time, saw Pogačar make history by becoming the first rider to win both the Tour de France and the world road race title in consecutive years. This achievement reinforces his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Pogačar had previously won the 2024 world championship title, solidifying his position as a leading cyclist.

In an interview, Pogačar described the experience of competing in Kigali as “good,” despite facing some challenges during the time trial earlier in the week. He praised the team’s performance, saying they had “some beautiful rides and a good time” together. The race itself was described as “beautiful” and “super hard” by Pogačar.

Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, who had beaten Pogačar in the time trial on September 21, finished as runner-up, one minute and 26 seconds behind the winner. Ireland’s Ben Healey took third place, surpassing Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose in the final stages of the race. Healey credited Evenepoel’s strong performance, stating that he was “pulling harder than most of us” in the group.

Out of the 165 riders who started the race, only 31 managed to complete the course. The challenging conditions and intense competition resulted in a high dropout rate, with many riders unable to finish the demanding 267.5-kilometer route.

Pogačar’s victory marks a significant milestone in his career, further establishing him as a dominant force in professional cycling. The win also highlights the growing global reach of the sport, with the world road race title being hosted in Africa for the first time. As the cycling world looks to the future, Pogačar’s achievement is likely to be seen as a key moment in the sport’s ongoing development and growth.