
At just 18 years old, Hudson stunned a world-class field and an electric Rwandan crowd by attacking from 36 kilometres out and never looking back. He crossed the finish line alone in 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 19 seconds, becoming the first British rider ever to take the junior men's road race rainbow jersey.
High speed, relentless early action
The 119.3-kilometre race, comprising eight punishing laps of Kigali's hilly, cobbled circuit, started fast under brilliant sunshine. Big nations like France, Italy, Belgium, and Austria immediately drove the pace, while fans lined the streets, waving flags and ringing bells.
Early on, American Beckham Drake made the first serious move, stretching his lead to over a minute. Behind him, riders including France's Johan Blanc and Austria's Heimo Fugger tried to organise counters. The peloton was restless, with constant surges and break attempts.
By the halfway mark, Drake was still clear but fading, and the main group, including heavy favourites Spain's Benjamin Noval and Italy's Mattia Agostinacchio, closed the gap. The race was wide open.
Hudson seizes his chance
Spotting a moment of hesitation after another flurry of attacks, Hudson launched. 'I just saw the pace drop a bit, so I went,' he explained after the finish, still catching his breath. What began as a bold gamble quickly turned into a solo masterclass.
Behind, frantic organisation tried to form â" with the Netherlands' Daan Dijkman pulling, Italy responding â" but nothing stuck. Hudson's lead grew to nearly 40 seconds as the crowd fired him up.
The final test: Noval's charge and heartbreak
With one lap remaining, Spanish powerhouse Benjamin Noval surged on the Côte de Kimihurura climb, clawing Hudson's gap down to just fifteen seconds. But disaster struck: Noval suddenly crashed on a straight section with less than three kilometres to go, ending his medal hopes.
France's Johan Blanc was left alone to chase, while Poland's Jan Michal Jackowiak tried a desperate late bridge. But Hudson, gritting his teeth and hammering the cobbled rise into downtown Kigali, refused to break.
Hudson entered the finishing straight alone, soaking in deafening cheers before punching the air in triumph. He clocked 2:55:19, with Blanc arriving for silver at 2:55:35 (+16 seconds) and Jackowiak matching that time but taking bronze. Britain's dominance was clear with Max Hinds and Matthew Peace in fourth and fifth.
'It's still sinking in,' Hudson said, smiling through exhaustion. 'I thought I'd be caught with a lap to go⦠but somehow, I stayed away. Winning my first world title here, in Africa, is just unbelievable.'
Home pride for Rwanda
Rwanda, hosting its first Road World Championships, had plenty to cheer for. Moïse Ntirenganya battled through the demanding race and was among just 66 finishers out of 142 starters, crossing in 3:09:32 (+14:13). Fellow Rwandan Jackson Nkurikiyinka rode bravely but abandoned on lap five after an intense opening half.
Men's Junior Road Race â" Top 10 Results
1. Harry Hudson (GBR) â" 2:55:19
2. Johan Blanc (FRA) â" 2:55:35 (+0:16)
3. Jan Michal Jackowiak (POL) â" 2:55:35 (+0:16)
4. Max Hinds (GBR) â" 2:55:41 (+0:22)
5. Matthew Peace (GBR) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)
6. Édouard Claisse (BEL) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)
7. Elias Wandel (SWE) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)
8. Daan Dijkman (NED) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)
9. Moritz Mauss (GER) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)
10. Benedikt Benz (GER) â" 2:55:43 (+0:24)



















Wycliffe Nyamasege