The first-ever U23 Women’s Road World Championship is in the books – and what a debut it was. After 119.3 brutal kilometers on Kigali’s leg-breaking circuit, France’s Célia Gery wrote her name into the history books with a perfectly timed sprint, overtaking Slovakia’s Viktória Chladoňová to claim the rainbow jersey, and the first Gold Medal for France.
It was a French one-two punch, with teammate Marion Bunel setting the stage for Gery in the finale – and though Bunel herself would fade to fifth, the tricolore flew proudly as Gery stormed the line. Spain’s Paula Blasi nabbed bronze after slipping past Bunel in the final meters, while Italy’s Eleonora Ciabocco just missed the podium.
Canadian Isabella Holmgren was active at the front all day, and made the final selection but ultimately crossed the line in sixth. Conspicuous by their absence were the Dutch – who didn’t field a squad.
Watch the Women’s U23 Race Broadcast here:
The Course: Kigali Doesn’t Forgive
We finally got to see how the tough finishing circuit would show up under road race conditions, and it did not disappoint. Eight laps of 15.1 kilometers each doesn’t sound too terrifying on paper – until you factor in two savage climbs per lap. The Côte de Kigali Golf (800m at 8.1%) and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura (1.3km at 6.3%) tore into the legs lap after lap. Add in a cobbled 600-meter finishing drag and nearly 2,800 meters of vertical gain, and you’ve got a proper World Championship circuit.
The peloton was under pressure from the start, smaller-nation riders vanishing almost immediately. Attacks were teased but shut down: France’s Julie Bego, Canada’s Isabella Holmgren, Czech rider Julia Kopecký – all tried to shake it up but found no daylight.
Canadian Isabella Holmgren was one to watch as she flew the Maple Leaf proudly today.
The Action: Patience, Then Pandemonium
The race truly came alive in the closing laps. Poland’s Malwina Mul launched the day’s first serious move, carving out nearly 45 seconds before being reeled in on the Golf climb. That’s when Gery and Chladoňová showed their strength, bridging across and lighting up the race.
The penultimate lap saw attacks flying everywhere – Holmgren, Blasi, Bunel, and even Sweden’s Stina Kagevi, who carved out a half-minute solo lead with 11 km to go, before being dragged back. At the bell, fourteen riders still had a shot, including Belgium’s Lore De Schepper who clawed her way back.
Utter dejection for Italy’s Elenora Ciabocco who finished 4th.
The Finale: French Tactics, French Triumph
On the last trip up the Kimihurura cobbles, Bunel made her move – and only two could follow: her teammate Gery and Chladoňová. It was the trio that would decide the medals.
Bunel drove the pace like a loyal teammate, forcing Chladoňová to open the sprint early. But Gery was ice-cool, biding her time before blasting past the Slovakian in the final meters. Arms aloft, she claimed the first-ever U23 Women’s world title – adding another glittering prize to a palmarès that already includes junior cyclocross gold and team relay medals.
Results:
2025 World Championships Women U23 – Road Race – Courtesy of ProCyclingStats.com
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