The course Is too tough, prices are skyrocketing, and now there’s war: Is the World Championship in Rwanda dying a quiet death?

The Cycling World Championships in Rwanda sounded like a fairy tale, and the UCI hopes it will be wonderful. But the chances of it turning out so lovely seem to be slowly going up in smoke. Where previously Biniam Girmay—the African cycling hero—was already disappointed that the course was too tough, more and more riders seem to be holding off on the trip to Kigali. With civil war raging in neighboring Congo, the championship threatens to become a nightmare.

It all sounded so beautiful: the first cycling World Championships in Africa. But slowly, there is growing criticism from the cycling world, and riders are dropping out. "Of course, this World Championship is a milestone for African cycling, but I can't do anything here myself. Whether I won't go? We'll see," Girmay said. "I would like to be there, and I will try, but it will already be difficult for me to finish. If you undertake the journey just to get dropped at that World Championships, it's meaningless."

With over 5500 meters of elevation, the World Championship is far too tough for the man who won three stages last Tour. "The World Championship in Rwanda? Oh... That question is unnecessary and doesn't need to be asked of me. It is out of my limit. I always aim for a good result. If my country wants me there, I'll go. But personally, it's unnecessary for me just to be there and participate," Girmay told Sporza.

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Netherlands sends only elite riders to Africa

World Championship without U23 and juniors?

Not only did the elite riders hesitate to go, but more and more cycling federations also decided to send only elite riders and not travel with a delegation of juniors and U23 riders. The reason is that the trip is too expensive, and the hotels in Rwanda are unaffordable. "Following the example of countries that have already taken the decision or expressed their doubts, the Netherlands will also not travel to Rwanda with the juniors for the time being," program manager of talent development Martin Truijens told the KNWU website in a press statement.

Michel Wuyts is also pessimistic and thinks more countries, including Belgium, will choose to travel to the world championships with only their elite riders. "For general manager Nathalie Clauwaert, the hotels are costly. Unaffordable for such a trip. Believe me, other countries will follow. Is that World Championship announced as a fairy tale still relevant?" the Belgian wondered aloud.

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Will Pogacar perhaps become world champion again in Switzerland?

Is civil war in neighboring Congo the next problem?

As if there weren't enough problems with the trip and the costs, the next issue now occurs: the civil war in eastern Congo. Indeed, the situation there is becoming increasingly dire: the offensive by the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, threatens to set the entire border region on fire. Things are calm in Kigali now, but will they still be in eight months?

The UCI has not commented on the situation, but the International Cycling Union considers all scenarios. Several sources report to HLN that a plan B, an alternate option in Rwanda, is being quietly developed in case things get dangerous. But where can you still host a World Championship in the short term? Initially, the Swiss region around Aigle, where the UCI has its headquarters, is being considered.

In 2020, the Cycling World Championships were already planned for Martigny, near Aigle, but they did not take place due to coronavirus restrictions by local authorities. So, this could offer a chance for a retake. As for the course, a Swiss World Championship could be attractive to the same riders as in Rwanda: Martigny is at the foot of the Alps, so a World Championship course for real climbers is an option.

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