Kigali still resonates with the cheers. The hills are now quiet, and the cobbled ascents in Kimihurura and 'Kwa Mutwe' have cooled, but for the Italian team, the memories of the recently concluded UCI Road World Championships 2025 in Rwanda remain vivid and unforgettable. They came expecting competition, but they discovered much more: a country that welcomed them, people who cheered as if they were their own, and a race that challenged, inspired, and transformed them. A legacy etched in gold For Italy, the most significant moment was achieved by 18-year-old Lorenzo Finn. Competing in the Under-23 men’s road race, he executed a perfectly timed solo attack on the final climb up MINAGRI, leaving Switzerland's Jan Huber behind with approximately 10 kilometers remaining. Finn crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 27 seconds, 31 seconds ahead of Huber, while Austria's Marco Schrettl took bronze just over a minute later. ALSO READ: More than cycling: The sacrifices behind Rwanda’s UCI World Championships It wasn't a one-off success. Finn had previously won the junior world title in Zurich in 2024. However, this victory felt different — it wasn't just about winning, but about achieving it in Africa, on a course that tested more than physical strength; it tested determination. Only 56 out of 118 starters from 56 countries completed the Under-23 road race. The route was grueling under the Kigali sun, featuring steep climbs (including the Côte de Kimihurura) and sharp turns. Rwanda through Italian eyes Giovanni Battaiola, a prominent figure in hospitality and tourism in Italy (particularly in Trentino), came not only to watch a race but to experience a country in motion. “I was very surprised by the organization and cleanliness of this area, which I never imagined would be like this. We took a tour outside the race area and it was completely tidy. The people were very respectful of traffic. We discovered a fine system that was all coordinated via phone. An incredible evolution,” Battaiola told Weekend Sport. “We saw a city where investments are very significant, a street of grand hotels that even some other famous destinations would envy, well-built houses, and above all, a very hospitable people. Girls and boys, men and women serving this moment, including tourism, all with a smile,” he added. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s UCI triumph, why we owe PK an immeasurable debt Battaiola came to Kigali partly because Trentino had won the bid for a “Super World Championship” in 2031, and he was eager to bring back lessons from Rwanda; both in how a country hosts such an event and in how a place can present itself to the world. In the kitchen, Chef Tiziano Brichese experienced a different kind of immersion. The rhythms, the coordination, the warmth of the people: every dish, every service told a story. “This experience in Rwanda was simply incredible and unforgettable. Then came the experience in the kitchen, where everyone played their part, available and eager to collaborate and support,” Brichese said. “I worked with a wonderful team every day, and I still think back to the day when, after preparing a recipe, it was copied and cooked. ... I was so impressed by the eagerness to learn of these young people that I would love to open a culinary school in Rwanda.” Diaspora connections and shared pride The Italian delegation also included a member of the Rwandan diaspora who lives in Italy. She preferred to remain anonymous, but her contribution was deeply felt. She helped the team navigate local customs, language nuances, and cultural tips that made small but meaningful differences: knowing which roads to avoid at certain times, how to greet people, where to find the freshest produce, and how to embrace Rwanda’s rhythm even under race pressure. ALSO READ: Air pollution levels in Kigali dropped 45% during UCI week - REMA Her presence reminded the Italians that Rwanda’s influence extends beyond its borders; that many Rwandans abroad carry not only memories of home, but connections that help make events like UCI feel less foreign, less intimidating. For the Italian team, having her meant less stress in logistics and more space to focus on performance, camaraderie, and enjoyment. The warmth of the crowd and the immense support U23 world champion Lorenzo Finn noted something every racer remembers: the supporters. In his post-race remarks, he said, “The last 500 meters, my ears were hurting from how loud the crowd was. People from different nations were cheering me on! The people here in Kigali are fantastic. It’s been a wonderful week, and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.” For many foreign teams, this was their first time in Africa — the infrastructure, the organization, the respect for schedules, the cleanliness, and the sense that despite the race pressure, Rwanda made them feel not just guests, but part of something bigger. Shadows amidst the light Online, some individuals tried to find faults in the race. A particular journalist claimed that the Dutch team suffered from food poisoning; others raised questions about the heat. There were whispers about attempts to politicize some aspects of the race or to exploit vulnerabilities. However, the riders themselves refuted some of these allegations in post-race interviews or even on their social media platforms, sharing their experience in Rwanda, which was far different from the claims made by people who hadn’t even set foot in Rwanda. Legacy and lessons For Italy, the race offered more than medals. Finn’s victory has already been placed alongside names like Greg LeMond, Remco Evenepoel, Mathieu van der Poel, and Matej Mohorič — those who have claimed world titles across age categories. Meanwhile, Battaiola says he will take home both inspiration and practical ideas. Rwanda’s system-wide investments, its hotel infrastructure, its tourism potential, the way people looked out for the event, and even basic urban features like traffic respect and cleanliness made a strong impression. ALSO READ: [http://Kigali makes history with the UCI Road World Championships]Kigali makes history with the UCI Road World Championships Brichese wants to bring Rwanda’s sense of shared effort back to his kitchens in Italy; to instill in his staff not just skill, but the warmth and pride that Rwanda showed its visitors. Italian cyclists, too, have promised to return — not only for future competitions but for tourism, rest, and reconnection. For them, Kigali was more than a racetrack: it was a place to be inspired, to witness what is possible when ambition, organization, and heart combine. Looking forward; One region, many peaks As Kigali closes this chapter, the memories, the lessons, and the friendships remain. Rwanda proved it could host a world championship with grace, challenge, and vision. And for teams like Italy’s, the return will not be a question of “if,” but “when.” The role of the Rwandan diaspora reminded everyone that real connections transcend national borders, making events richer and more meaningful. For the world of cycling, this edition of UCI in Africa was a beacon: proof that when athletes are pushed to their limits, when spectators cheer with full voice, and when hosts embrace both tradition and innovation, something remarkable happens. Italian team members say that for them, Kigali will forever be a hill to climb and a summit to cherish.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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