Spain takes control early
The 74-kilometre showdown kicked off at 8:20 am, with fans packing the climbs and roundabouts to cheer every move. Spain wasted no time showing intent. Leyre Almena Requena lit up the opening hour, going solo and stringing out the peloton. Her attack forced the rest of the field to burn matches early.
Crashes and mechanicals shaped the race long before the finale. Italy's Giada Silo slid out on a slick corner but clawed back, while Dutch world time trial champ Megan Arens never looked at ease on the ascents and eventually faded to 20th.
Africa roared when Tsige Kiros of Ethiopia chased back after a costly mechanical on the cobbles. Determined and fearless, she rejoined the front group, stirring the Kigali crowds.
But it was Switzerland's Anja Grossmann who dictated the pace, marking every dangerous move and keeping the peloton under control. Britain's Arabella Blackburn tested the field, the Australians stayed watchful, and Spain quietly shielded Ostiz, saving her legs for the finale.
The final lap explodes
With two laps to go, 37 riders were still in the hunt. Czech rider Antonie Cermanova and Dutch Roos Muller launched daring attacks, only for Grossmann to snuff them out. Greece's Stampori had a go too, but Spain reeled her in.
By the bell lap, just 24 remained. The heat was biting, and bottles were tossed. Then came the race's make-or-break feature: the jagged Côte de Kimihurura.
Grossmann hit the gas on the final cobbled climb, shredding the group. Kiros finally cracked, joined by Australia's Tuffy S and Britain's Erin Boothman, whose bad luck with mechanical issues resurfaced and ended her day.
The rainbow sprint
Five riders crested the climb together â€" Grossmann, Italy's Chantal Pegolo, and a perfectly poised Ostiz among them. With 200 meters to go, the Spaniard unleashed her sprint. Calm all day, she rocketed past her rivals in an unstoppable burst.
All three podium finishers clocked 2:09:19, but Ostiz's raw speed gave her clear daylight at the line. Pegolo and Grossmann settled for silver and bronze.
'It's a dream come true,' Ostiz said, fighting back tears as she celebrated Spain's breakthrough. 'My family is watching me now, and I can only thank God. I knew I had to save my strength until the end because the climbs were tough. I trusted my sprint, and it worked when it mattered most.'
Pride for the hosts
The home crowd had reason to cheer, too. Rwanda's Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana toughed out the savage course to finish 48th and 49th from a 73-rider start. They were loudly applauded as they completed each lap.
Women's Junior Road Race â€" Top 10
1. Paula Ostiz Taco (ESP) â€" 2:09:19
2. Chantal Pegolo (ITA) â€" 2:09:19 (+0)
3. Anja Grossmann (SUI) â€" 2:09:19 (+0)
4. Sidney Swierenga (CAN) â€" 2:09:19 (+0)
5. Giada Silo (ITA) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
6. Thais Poirier (FRA) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
7. Tsige Kiros (ETH) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
8. Neve Parslow (AUS) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
9. Maria Okrucinska (POL) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
10. Alyssa Sarkisov (USA) â€" 2:09:22 (+3)
Wycliffe Nyamasege
