The Elite Men’s Road Race concluded the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, wrapping up eight thrilling days of racing at one of the most challenging Worlds in history.

Elite Men’s Road Race

The final day of racing for the Elite Men was not for the faint of heart. 167 riders faced nine laps of the city circuit that had been raced all week, followed by a massive extension lap up Mont Kigali, before tackling six more laps of the local circuit. In total, the men took on 267km with over 5,000 meters of climbing, marking almost seven hours of brutal racing.

Team USA lined up with Kevin Vermaerke (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; Team Picnic PostNL), Larry Warbasse(Traverse City, Mich.; Tudor Pro Cycling Team), Quinn Simmons (Durango, Colo.; Lidl-Trek), Luke Lamperti (Sebastopol, Calif.; Soudal Quick-Step), and Will Barta (Boise, Idaho; Movistar Team).

It quickly turned into a race of attrition, with the heavy hitters driving the pace on the relentless course. As expected, Mont Kigali delivered the drama. The decisive moment came when none other than Tadej Pogačar (SLO) launched an attack on the 6km climb at a 7% grade, nearly 100km from the finish. It wasn’t the first time he’s gone at 100km to go at the World Championships, and once again, it proved devastating. The move shattered the peloton, with several American riders caught out as the front split proved strong.

Only two riders initially followed, his UAE Team Emirates teammates Isaac del Toro (MEX) and Juan Ayuso (ESP), but neither could hold his pace for long with del Toro holding on as long as he could. Behind them, the remnants of the main peloton regrouped into a chase of about 30 riders, including Team USA’s Vermaerke and race favorites like Remco Evenepoel (BEL), Tom Pidcock (GBR), Ben Healy (IRL), and others.

At 76km to go, Evenepoel was calling for a team car requiring his second bike change of the race and a major issue in his World Championship campaign.                                                                                                                                       

Around 64km to go, Evenepoel was able to reconnect with the peloton, and pushed the pace at the front. A strong chase group formed on the Kimihurura climb, featuring Evenepoel, Pidcock, Healy, Mattias Skjelmose (DEN), and Jai Hindley (AUS). They worked furiously to close a gap of over a minute to Pogačar. As the pace increased, riders dropped one by one leaving only Evenepoel, Healy, and Skjelmose at 45km to go.

With 20km remaining, Evenepoel struck out solo from the chase in one last bid to catch Pogacar. Lap after lap, the course took its toll. By that time, just 26 riders were left in the main bunch, with Vermaerke still holding strong for the U.S.

With Pogacar sealing gold and Evenepoel securing silver, the battle was on for the final podium spot. Inside the last 5km, Healy launched a decisive attack in pursuit of bronze over Skjelmose to round out the podium.

Riders one by one crossed the finish line after an incredibly tough day with Vermaerke riding into 23rd position. 

Results:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO)

2. Remco Evenepoel (BEL)

3. Ben Healy (IRL)

23. Kevin Vermaerke (USA) 

DNF. Larry Warbasse (USA) 

DNF. Quinn Simmons (USA) 

DNF. Luke Lamperti (USA) 

DNF. Will Barta (USA) 

USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. To support the USA Cycling National Team, members can donate to the USA Cycling Foundation here. USA Cycling’s supporting partner for this event includes HOVERAir, who shares our mission to elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of cyclists.