For the first time since the competition began 125 years ago, the world's best cyclists battled for rainbow jerseys on African soil, and they did so before record crowds.
The UCI President called the event 'probably the most beautiful World Championships ever, here in Africa,' saluting the passion of over one million spectators who lined the routes.
'What amazing races we witnessed this week… There were one million people along the roads today. Thank you very much,' the UCI President said, praising Rwanda's organisation and President Paul Kagame for delivering an unforgettable debut.
Battle for the podium
More than 100 nations sent riders, but only 18 countries managed to convert their efforts into medals across the 13 races, a proof of just how intense and unpredictable the championship was.
At the top of the medal standings, the Netherlands emerged as the most successful nation, claiming two golds, one silver, and one bronze (4 total medals). Great Britain took a close second, powered by two crucial golds but no additional podium spots. France rounded out the top three with a balanced haul of one gold, two silver, and one bronze (4 total medals).
Not far behind, Belgium, Spain, and Switzerland produced a rare four-way deadlock for fourth, each earning one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.
Medal scoreboard
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | Netherlands | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Great Britain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | France | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Belgium | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Spain | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | Italy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | Canada | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Slovenia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Sweden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Slovakia | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | New Zealand | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 14 | United States | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | Austria | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Ireland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Norway | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Poland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Most decorated riders who lit up Kigali
Several riders delivered career-defining performances at the championship. Remco Evenepoel of Belgium once again proved his class, winning the Men's Elite Individual Time Trial and battling through two bike changes to claim silver in the road race, finishing just behind Tadej Pogačar, who lit up Kigali's climbs with a trademark long-range attack to secure a second consecutive men's road race world title on Sunday.
Jay Vine of Australia delivered versatility and power, pairing a silver in the men's time trial with a pivotal ride in the gold-winning Team Time Trial Mixed Relay.
Swiss time trial specialist Marlen Reusser celebrated a long-awaited breakthrough by capturing the Women's Elite ITT gold and contributing to Switzerland's bronze in the mixed relay.
Spain's young phenom Paula Ostiz Taco made headlines with a stunning victory in the Women's Junior Road Race â€" the first ever for her nation â€" and added a silver from the junior time trial.
Meanwhile, rising Slovakian talent Viktória Chladoňová impressed with double silver in the inaugural Women's Under-23 standalone events.
What comes next?
The peloton's next rainbow dream will unfold in Montreal, Canada, host of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, with Kigali's edition setting a new benchmark for sporting excellence as well as inclusivity and global reach, proving that the world's biggest cycling stage can thrive far beyond its European origins.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
