Stina Kagevi Lights Up the U23 Women’s World Championship Road Race in Kigali – Finishes 11th After Bold Solo Attack

It was a day of courage, color, and relentless determination as Stina Kagevi delivered one of the most talked-about performances in the U23 Women’s Road Race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. On a brutally demanding course featuring steep cobblestone climbs, soaring temperatures, and relentless pace, Kagevi animated the race with a daring late attack that put her in the spotlight — ultimately finishing 11th in the world.

🚴♀️ Bold Solo Move Shakes Up the Race

With 12 kilometers to go, as the leading group hesitated, Kagevi seized the moment and launched a powerful solo attack. Within moments, she built a 30-second gap, which swelled to over a minute with 8 kilometers remaining — a decisive move that electrified the race and the crowds lining the streets of Kigali.

Assistant national coach Alexander Wetterhall praised her performance:

“What a race we’ve seen here! Both riders fought so well deep into the race. Stina’s attack on the final lap was fantastic — over a minute’s lead and still battling to finish 11th. That’s incredibly strong.”

🏔️ Grit and Resilience on a Brutal Course

The race was nothing short of punishing: 29°C heat, 2,500 meters of elevation gain, and a relentless series of eight climbs, including the infamous cobblestone hill that shattered the peloton multiple times. With 30 kilometers to go, both Kagevi and Karin Söderqvist were part of a reduced lead group of 18 riders. While Söderqvist dropped back to assist, Kagevi continued to fight at the front, repeatedly clawing her way back into contention as the group split and reformed.

Her bold solo bid with less than 15 kilometers left mirrored her aggressive racing style seen earlier this season — notably at the Swedish National Championships in Uppsala — but this time, it was on the world stage.

Although the chasing group caught her on the penultimate climb, Kagevi’s spirited ride kept her close to the top ten, finishing 11th overall, just 1:22 behind winner Celia Gery of France.

🇸🇪 Söderqvist’s Supportive Ride

Teammate Karin Söderqvist played a key supporting role throughout the race, rejoining the front group after earlier climbs and helping Kagevi stay positioned for her late-race move. She crossed the line in 31st place, wrapping up a strong showing for Team Sweden in the U23 category.

🏆 Final Top Results – U23 Women’s Road Race

1. Celia Gery (France) – 3:24:26

2. Viktoria Chladoňova (Slovakia) – +0:02

3. Paula Blasi Cairol (Spain) – +0:12

4. Eleonora Ciabocco (Italy) – +0:12

5. Marion Bunel (France) – +0:12

6. Isabella Holmgren (Canada) – +0:17

7. Stina Kagevi (Sweden) – +1:22

8. Karin Söderqvist (Sweden) – +10:50

🌍 A World-Class Atmosphere in Kigali

The electric atmosphere around the 15-kilometer circuit added even more energy to the day. Thousands of passionate fans lined the route, turning the Rwandan capital into a vibrant celebration of cycling. In terms of crowd support and spectacle, the 2025 World Championships are already a huge success.

💪 While the podium eluded Sweden this time, Stina Kagevi’s fearless racing and top-15 finish signal that she’s a rising force in women’s cycling. With performances like this on one of the sport’s biggest stages, the future looks incredibly bright.