Jakob Söderqvist Claims Historic World Cup Gold in U23 Time Trial

Jakob Söderqvist delivered a near-perfect performance in Kigali to claim World Cup gold in the U23 men’s time trial—Sweden’s first individual men’s World Cup gold medal in 77 years. On a tough course that featured high altitude, sharp climbs, and a brutal cobblestone finish, Söderqvist not only rose to the challenge but dominated, winning by over a full minute.

A Masterclass in Control and Execution

From the start line to the finish, Söderqvist raced with precision. Assistant national team captain Alexander Wetterhall described the ride with awe:

“Oh my God, what perfection there was in the execution of the race. A good start, a fantastic middle section and then he just bombs at the end with the tough cobblestone hill. This is absolutely magical. We just sat and screamed in the car behind Jakob. It’s so fantastically well done.”

The 1600-meter altitude and demanding course profile were not ideally suited to Söderqvist’s strengths, yet his careful preparation and smart pacing strategy proved decisive. He avoided burning out on the flatter sections, saving enough to storm up the final cobblestone hill at full speed.

A Long-Awaited Goal Achieved

For Söderqvist, the gold medal represents the culmination of years of planning and persistence. After finishing second at last year’s U23 World Championships, this race had been his ultimate target.

“Right after I finished second at last year’s U23 World Championships, this has been my big goal. It was this gold medal that I really wanted before finishing my U23 career. There have been incredibly extensive and careful preparations, so it just feels so good to stand here with this victory,” said Söderqvist.

More Than Just a Win

The margin of victory—over a minute on world-class competition—underlined Söderqvist’s dominance. With this triumph, he closes his U23 chapter on the highest possible note, carrying both confidence and momentum into the next stage of his cycling career.

Sweden has waited nearly eight decades for this moment, and on the streets of Kigali, Jakob Söderqvist etched his name into history.

Text excerpts were taken from Tomas Larsson/SCF*
Photo credits: Luca Bettini/ SprintCyclingAgency