2025-09-28T10:50:46.021Z<\/p>\n
Belgium continue to lead the peloton, keeping the gap hovering at around 2:10.<\/p>\n
140KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:47:40.726Z<\/p>\n Govekar and Primo\u017ei\u010d both have now abandoned, following \u017dumer from earlier. That leaves Poga\u010dar down to 6 teammates.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:44:23.805Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:42:59.921Z<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar has lost anothe teammate from the peloton on that climb, with Matev\u017e Govekar following Primo\u017ei\u010d in being dropped.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:42:09.021Z<\/p>\n The pace was up on that climb, the gap coming down anout 30 seconds to just over two minutes due to the work from Belgium.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:39:32.729Z<\/p>\n They’re taking on the cobbled climb again, and Iv\u00e1n Romeo and Slovenia’s Jaka Primo\u017ei\u010d are the latest to be dropped.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:37:58.168Z<\/p>\n The gap between the seven leaders and the peloton remains much the same, at 2:40.<\/p>\n 150KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:37:22.434Z<\/p>\n Evenepoel is feeling buoyant following his victory in the time trial last weekend, and is now looking to seal a Worlds double in the same manner he did at the Olympics last year. He says he and the Belgium team have a plan for how to defeat Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n ‘We can’t be overconfident’ \u2013 Remco Evenepoel boosted by TT win but still sees rivals in Poga\u010dar, Pidcock and Del Toro for World Championships road race<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:28:19.913Z<\/p>\n Evenepoel, making his way back to the peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:26:19.672Z<\/p>\n Evenepoel is back in the peloton. That took him a lot less time than it did for Poga\u010dar the lap before.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:25:50.800Z<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar’s down a teammate – Matic \u017dumer is the latest to abandon.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:25:02.979Z<\/p>\n Evenepoel follows in Poga\u010dar’s stead by using the portable toilet at the start of the circuit for a comfort break.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:22:41.050Z<\/p>\n The gap continues to hold steady, at 2:30.<\/p>\n 160KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:19:47.603Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a slight change at the front of the peloton as the near the end of the seventh lap, with Belgium now taking total control while the Slovenians drop back more, not having resumed at the front since Poga\u010dar returned to the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:18:47.988Z<\/p>\n Georg Zimmermann is the latest rider to drop out the back of the peloton labouring on the cobbles up the C\u00f4te de Kimihurura. The race might not be on yet in terms of attacks and accelerations, but this brutal course is still taking its toll.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:15:43.396Z<\/p>\n You can read more on the abandons of Julian Alaphilippe and the other big names who have dropped out already.<\/p>\n Former double World Champion Julian Alaphilippe, reported ill, abandons elite men’s road race after just 31 kilometres<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:12:47.867Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:07:53.918Z<\/p>\n The pace remained much the same during Poga\u010dar’s time out the back. The gap is still at 2:30.<\/p>\n 170KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:06:54.745Z<\/p>\n One rider who hasn’t made it back into the peloton is Luke Plapp. The Australian has abandoned.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:06:23.869Z<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar and his two teammates are back in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:03:15.327Z<\/p>\n Poga\u010dar\u2019s just had to stop with a couple of teammates, and is now making his way back to the peloton. It must have been for either a comfort break or a mechanical.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T10:00:41.897Z<\/p>\n Belgium’s Florian Vermeersch leads the peloton over the finish line to complete the sixth lap, swamped by the green contingent of Slovenian riders behind him. Just three more laps now until they head off the small circuit for the first time to take on the big circuit out of town.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:58:22.262Z<\/p>\n While others blamed the tactics for the favourites\u2019 failure to bring back the break yesterday, Kasia Niewiadoma pointed out how the conditions made things difficult for them. We shouldn\u2019t understate how much all this riding at high altitude will sap away at the riders\u2019 strength throughout the day – and could produce more surprise results today.<\/p>\n Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney blames altitude and climate for ‘weird’ and ‘passive’ World Championships road race<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:55:01.866Z<\/p>\n It’ still Slovenia and Belgium pulling at the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:53:52.645Z<\/p>\n The gap’s come down some more, to 2:33. Slovenia and Belgium aren’t granting these riders too much of a lead.<\/p>\n 180KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:52:13.185Z<\/p>\n Elisa Longo Borghini praised the breakaway medalists, while also lamenting how her group was \u2018a bit stupid\u2019. \u2018It’s pretty clear what happened. Everyone was looking at each other, and we lost the race.\u2019<\/p>\n ‘Chapeau, they were the bravest’ – Elisa Longo Borghini congratulates winning breakaway, takes time to reflect on poor performance at Rwanda Worlds<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:49:09.854Z<\/p>\n While some were frustrated with yesterday’s women\u2019s road race, others felt they couldn\u2019t have done much more. One rider was Demi Vollering, whose Dutch team were this year more disappointed by their lack of legs than their lack of cooperation.<\/p>\n ‘Another year that the dream is a little bit crushed’ \u2013 Demi Vollering misses out at World Championships, but praises Dutch team<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:47:09.433Z<\/p>\n Will Barta is the latest to abanon the race, having done some work at the front of the peloton earlier for USA.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:46:27.894Z<\/p>\n Luke Plapp as been dropped from the peloton. That’s a surprise, given how good a climber he is, and how low the pace is at the moment.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:45:41.641Z<\/p>\n Kim Le Court-Pienaar was also frustrated with how yesterday’s race unfolded, criticising the riders accompanying her in the group of favourites for not working together.<\/p>\n ‘I’d rather try everything and come last’ \u2013 Kim Le Court-Pienaar criticises ‘stupid’ lack of cooperation in World Championships road race <\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:43:12.073Z<\/p>\n It’s 2:48 now for the lead group. That’s come down a few seconds over the last few kilometres.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:42:05.271Z<\/p>\n Taking heed from yesterday\u2019s race, the favourites will not want to lose control of the race should it start getting chaotic. This morning the news was full of discontented riders lamenting the wasted opportunity. Tour de France champion Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot called the race a \u2018big mess.\u2019<\/p>\n ‘It was a big mess’ – Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot says tactical game went wrong among major favourites at Rwanda Worlds<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:38:10.129Z<\/p>\n Slovenia, along with Belgium’s Florian Vermeersch, lead the peloton as they climb the C\u00f4te de Kimihurura for the fifth time. They will be all too familiar with it by the end of the day – they still have eleven more ascents of it to complete.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:34:12.898Z<\/p>\n Mechanical for Victor Campanaerts. He could have a big role to play for Evenepoel later today, remembering the brilliant work he did as a domestique for Jonas Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a Bike at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:28:36.614Z<\/p>\n While it\u2019s calm for now, the early attacks might foreshadow how this race will be taken on later, as riders try to figure out a way to stop Tadej Poga\u010dar from doing his thing.<\/p>\n Yesterday\u2019s women\u2019s road race might provide a template, given how the victor came from an early move that took the favourites off guard. In her own words, here\u2019s how Magdeleine Vallieres said she claimed that unlikely victory.<\/p>\n ‘I took the risk’ – Magdeleine Vallieres makes history with stunning breakaway to claim Canada’s first elite road race rainbow jersey at Rwanda Worlds<\/a><\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:24:03.764Z<\/p>\n The break’s lead has grown over the last few kilometres since the climb, and has exceeded three minutes for the first time today.<\/p>\n 200KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:23:02.412Z<\/p>\n They\u2019ve been racing for over an hour and a half, and there are still 200km left to ride. This is one of the most demanding races of the year.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:20:22.934Z<\/p>\n France are down from nine riders to seven already, with Louis Barr\u00e9 the latest to pull out. He was seen dropping out of the peloton, and, like Alaphilippe, looked out of sorts. Illness in the French team, perhaps?<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:18:52.223Z<\/p>\n Here is home favourite Eric Manizabayo, on the attack.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:15:42.033Z<\/p>\n Manizabayo is battling up the climb to huge cheers from the crowd, and the race announcer, and just about stays clear of the peloton by the top. The race for the rainbow jersey might not be fully on yet, but Manizabayo is involved in his own mission.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:12:47.642Z<\/p>\n The peloton’s defecit to the leads has come down a little, to just under two minutes. Manizabayo is hovering just a few seconds ahead of them.<\/p>\n 210KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:12:04.521Z<\/p>\n Mechanical for Frank van den Broek, as they take on the cobbled Kimihurura climb again.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:09:44.444Z<\/p>\n Just as we say that, another attack comes out of the peloton – and it\u2019s the same rider as usual, Eric Manizabayo. The Rwandan is desperate to put on a show for his home crowds.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:08:06.012Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s all much calmer in the peloton now. The riders amble though a fed one and pick up bidons, to keep themselves hydrated in the humid conditions.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:05:22.030Z<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, Poga\u010dar\u2019s Slovenia and Evenepoel\u2019s Belgium teams have done the bulk of the work at the front of the peloton, though they\u2019ve now been joined by the USA.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:01:58.790Z<\/p>\n Van Wilder is soldiering on, but he\u2019s got a lot of ground to make up to rejoin the peloton. This is bad news for Evenepoel, as he\u2019s one of the Belgian\u2019s top domestiques.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T09:00:10.240Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:58:03.706Z<\/p>\n Soler has also dropped out.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:57:32.574Z<\/p>\n Britain\u2019s Bjorn Koerdt had got back up and riding after being one of those to crash, but has now decided to abandon.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:56:33.143Z<\/p>\n Rwanda’s attacker Manizabayo is back in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:56:14.573Z<\/p>\n It seems all those involved in the crash are back on the bike, but some, including Van Wilder, are looking a little worse for wear.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:55:06.549Z<\/p>\n Meanwhile up ahead, Pierna has at last joined the leaders, who now have a lead of 2:40 on the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:53:54.371Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a crash, some of the big nations involved. Belgium\u2019s Van Wilder and Spain\u2019s Soler are both involved.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:53:04.412Z<\/p>\n Jai Hindley of Australia needs a wheel change. Thankfully for him, this mechanical has happened during a calmer phase of the race.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:49:30.298Z<\/p>\n Pierna is closing in on the leaders, now just 20 seconds away.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:47:27.015Z<\/p>\n There\u2019s another attack from the peloton, this time from a home favourite, Rwanda\u2019s Eric Manizabayo. They\u2019re happy to let this one go.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:45:40.896Z<\/p>\n Several riders representing the less renowned nations have already abandoned. This has been a gruelling start to the race, with attacking being made when you’d expect the race to be settled.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:40:15.997Z<\/p>\n The leading sextet have almost two minutes again on the peloton, with Pierna about halfway in between.<\/p>\n 230KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:38:52.453Z<\/p>\n Here’s the breakaway, climbing during the last lap.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:37:30.393Z<\/p>\n Madouas is back in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:37:10.461Z<\/p>\n Alaphilippe, on the attack before abandoning the race.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:35:09.279Z<\/p>\n The peloton has settled down again, and is allowing the lead group’s advantage to grow again. Pierna is still in between the two groups.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:34:04.924Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s been confirmed that Alaphilippe has abandoned the race. That was a typically erratic cameo from the Frenchman, attacking one moment, then out the back shortly after. We can only assume he must be suffering from some kind of ill-health, as the two-time champion was one of the outside favourites for the victory.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:32:38.528Z<\/p>\n Pidcock is back in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:31:03.084Z<\/p>\n He had been joined by Campanaerts, Tejada, Wright and Seixas, but they\u2019re all set to be reabsorbed by the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:30:02.610Z<\/p>\n Del Toro has sat up, along with other attackers.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:28:56.459Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s all still kicking off in the peloton – Del Toro is one of the latest to attack!<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:28:12.788Z<\/p>\n Tom Pidcock is also out the back, presumably with some kind of mechanical problem.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:27:26.506Z<\/p>\n Madouas has had to drop back with a mechanical. We\u2019ve already seen most of the French contingent today, be it out the back or the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:26:42.584Z<\/p>\n The flurry of action has seen the leading 6’s gap gall to only a little more than a minute Pierna is about 10 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n 240KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:25:41.309Z<\/p>\n The peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:23:45.318Z<\/p>\n The peloton is back together, but still the French are trying to break it up, as another riders tries an attack.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:22:24.722Z<\/p>\n Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna is the lastest to attack from the peloton, and has a gap.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:21:45.019Z<\/p>\n Having been up the road moments ago, Alaphilippe is now dropped out the back.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:21:23.131Z<\/p>\n That\u2019s stretched the bunch out, to the point where a small group has gone off the front. Among them are the Slovenian riders, who are gesturing for more calm.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:20:37.371Z<\/p>\n There are more attacks from the peloton, and again it’s the French who are igniting it, this time with Valentin Paret-Peintre and Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:19:41.187Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:17:37.970Z<\/p>\n We have our first DNF of the day – Ahmet \u00d6rken of Turkey.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:16:40.970Z<\/p>\n The peloton don\u2019t like Alaphilippe’s presence up the road. They upped the race, and have brought him back along with Batsaikhan.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:14:56.412Z<\/p>\n Alaphilippe is up to Batsaikhan and is pressing on.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:14:40.196Z<\/p>\n Just when it had seemed the race was settling down, there\u2019s been an attack. Ever the aggressor and unpredictable racer, Julian Alaphilippe has jumped out of the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:13:20.398Z<\/p>\n The six leaders are two minutes ahead of the peloton, with Batsaikhan about halfway in between.<\/p>\n 250KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:10:09.569Z<\/p>\n In between, Mongolia\u2019s Tegsh-Bayar Batsaikhan attacked out of the peloton and wanted to join the leader. He has a substantial gap to make up, of almost a minute.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:08:55.259Z<\/p>\n The peloton has sat up, apparently happy with the make up of this break, despite the strong names and nations represented. They\u2019re over a minute adrift.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:08:08.080Z<\/p>\n Make that 6 – Bernard has succeeded in bridging up to them.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:07:37.564Z<\/p>\n Despite the attacks, the five leaders are all together as they cross the finish line, upon completion of the first lap.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:04:57.314Z<\/p>\n As the riders climb the cobbled C\u00f4te de Kimihurura, for the first time, the front group is threatening to break up, with Oliveira trying to accelerate from the others.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:03:07.274Z<\/p>\n Julien Bernard is trying to bridge up from the peloton to the break.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:01:25.323Z<\/p>\n Already a few riders have been dropped out of the peloton.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T08:00:19.064Z<\/p>\n Anders Foldager and Fabio Christen have joined the front group.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:59:00.221Z<\/p>\n This is a strong trio – Mayrhofer, Oliveira and Huising are all elite riders. They have a lead of about 7 seconds.<\/p>\n 260KM TO GO<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:56:59.548Z<\/p>\n And now Walters has been dropped by those three.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:56:48.265Z<\/p>\n Huising, Marius Mayrhoffer and Ivo Oliveira have caught Walters.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:55:20.675Z<\/p>\n Menno Huising from he Dutch team is in pursuit of Walters, who leads by a handful of seconds.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:54:39.716Z<\/p>\n The Slovenian team leading the peloton during the neutralised section.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:50:26.182Z<\/p>\n Red Walters of Grenada is the first rider to get a gap.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:49:49.176Z<\/p>\n Lots of the conspicuous green jersey of Poga\u010dar\u2019s Slovenian team are massed near the front of the peloton, no doubt wanting to stay attentive to make sure no dangerous riders get up the road.<\/p>\n 2025-09-28T07:48:48.168Z<\/p>\n And they’re off!<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/beTs5va9S8BCVaev2BmWa5.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/P4G2eY2aCRcwesWr2dNkme.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5NJ8vjjHsQuYrhChyToTRY.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/suFGHjkTLZTo6ijmgbm9j8.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3gnG6i63iZ4frS2yNxsP98.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5yfb4JQ9V3qJ4uaNQgjSjR.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ZsLodoy58tHEddefXuyV8S.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Mongolian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TmEsBCxHVC83tjJjh7xy7E.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rRDMmU6f49u44TNXbrdP6Z.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6gjhfcPEThchcWd43Pivbh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Slovenian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/yuqjSGZEnvCtGnDyJKXuwF.jpg\")
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![\"Belgian](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/i2d96Vbyc3BU26Dig6CqxB.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"KIGALI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/W45oBBcihbGZneEPuCKw8Y.jpg\")
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