It\u2019s that time of the year when Australia\u2019s top cyclists cast off their pro team jerseys to unite under the green and gold. The ARA Australian Cycling Team has begun arriving in Rwanda for the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, where the rainbow bands are up for grabs.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s our guide to next week\u2019s World Championships.<\/p>\n
About Kigali and the World Championships<\/p>\n
This will be a historic moment for Rwanda, its capital Kigali, and indeed the whole continent \u2013 marking the first time the UCI Road World Championships have been held in Africa.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also the first time a standalone road race will be held for under-23 women.<\/p>\n
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Four Aussies, including Talia Appleton, will compete in the first standalone U23 women’s road race at Worlds.<\/p>\n
As for the courses: they are demanding. Rwanda is known as \u2018the land of a thousand hills\u2019, and the race routes don\u2019t hold back.<\/p>\n
The local circuit includes the cobbled climb of the Cote de Kimihurura (1.3km, 6.3%), which then keeps rising to the finish.<\/p>\n
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The course profiles for the elite women’s (above) and elite men’s (below) road races. (Image: UCI)<\/p>\n
For the elite women, it adds up to 3,350m of climbing over 164km. The elite men will also take on an extended section to Mont Kigali (5.9km, 6.9%) and the Mur de Kigali (0.4km, 11%) to bring their total elevation gain to an intimidating 5,475m over 267km.<\/p>\n
The time trials will be just as tough \u2013 they all finish with the same cobbled climb.<\/p>\n
Australian team updates<\/p>\n
There have been three changes to Australia\u2019s original team announced last month<\/a>.<\/p>\n Talia Appleton has been added to the under-23 women\u2019s road race<\/a> after her outstanding podium result at the Tour de l\u2019Avenir<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two riders have withdrawn: Neve Bradbury (illness) and under-23 rider Jack Ward (injury).<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s first rider in action will be Brodie Chapman, in Sunday’s elite women\u2019s time trial.<\/p>\n Brodie Chapman will ride the ITT, TTT and road race.<\/p>\n She\u2019ll be followed in the men\u2019s time trial by Jay Vine \u2013 fresh from a superb Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a \u2013 and Luke Plapp, who has spent the last few weeks preparing at altitude.<\/p>\n For the mixed relay team time trial, these three will be joined by Amanda Spratt, Lauretta Hanson and Michael Matthews as they attempt to defend Australia\u2019s world title<\/a>.<\/p>\n Then, tune in next weekend for the elite road races, where Alex Manly and Ruby Roseman-Gannon link up for the women\u2019s race, and an in-form Michael Storer and Jai Hindley are among those taking on the men\u2019s race.<\/p>\n Luke Plapp also has all three events on his schedule, starting with Sunday’s individual time trial.<\/p>\n How to watch<\/p>\n Stan Sport<\/a> will have full coverage, including the junior and under-23 races.<\/p>\n Make sure you follow the ARA Australian Cycling Team on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Event schedule (AEST)Sunday, 21 September<\/p>\n Women Elite Individual Time Trial \u2013 6:00pm<\/p>\n Men Elite Individual Time Trial \u2013 9:35pm<\/p>\n Monday, 22 September<\/p>\n Women U23 Individual Time Trial \u2013 6:25pm<\/p>\n Alli AndersonFelicity Wilson-Haffenden<\/p>\n Men U23 Individual Time Trial \u2013 9:25pm<\/p>\n Zachary MarriageHamish McKenzieTuesday, 23 September<\/p>\n Women Junior Individual Time Trial \u2013 6:35pm<\/p>\n Hannah GianattiTully Schweitzer<\/p>\n Men Junior Individual Time Trial \u2013 9:50pm<\/p>\n Wednesday, 24 September<\/p>\n Team Time Trial Mixed Relay \u2013 8:20pm<\/p>\n Michael MatthewsLuke PlappJay VineBrodie ChapmanLauretta HansonAmanda SprattThursday, 25 September<\/p>\n Women U23 Road Race \u2013 8:55pm<\/p>\n Alli AndersonTalia AppletonMackenzie CouplandFelicity Wilson-HaffendenFriday, 26 September<\/p>\n Men Junior Road Race \u2013 3:50pm<\/p>\n Max GooldAlexander HewesFletcher MedwayLucas Stevenson<\/p>\n Men U23 Road Race \u2013 7:50pm<\/p>\n Matthew GreenwoodZachary MarriageHamish McKenzieSaturday, 27 September<\/p>\n Women Junior Road Race \u2013 4:10pm<\/p>\n Hannah GianattiNeve ParslowTully Schweitzer<\/p>\n Women Elite Road Race \u2013 7:55pm<\/p>\n Brodie ChapmanLauretta HansonAlexandra ManlyRuby Roseman-GannonAmanda SprattSunday, 28 September<\/p>\n Men Elite Road Race \u2013 5:35pm<\/p>\n Chris HamiltonChris HarperJai HindleyMichael MatthewsLuke PlappCallum ScotsonMichael StorerJay Vine<\/p>\n Photos: Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Australian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Getty_DarioBelingheri_Brodie-1.jpeg\")
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