Despite a ban on cycling to the World Cycling Championships: The story of a World Championship starter

On 21 September 2025, Violette Irakoze Neza will be on the starting line of the Individual time trial at the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda. The 24-year-old professional cyclist from the Belgian Ridley Racing Team will be competing in her home country at the first UCI Road World Championships on African soil. One week later, on 27 September, she will also compete in the Road race start. For Violette, these competitions not only mark the highlight of her sporting career, but also of her personal history. As a child, she was constantly told that cycling was not for girls. Nevertheless, she continued to train in secret. Today, she is not only a professional cyclist, but also a role model for young African girls who dream of a future on a bike. Rwandathe "land of a thousand hills", is writing a new, positive chapter in its history with this World Cup, after the country was shaken by a genocide in 1994 that claimed the lives of around 800,000 to 1 million people.

The forbidden bicycle

While almost every household in Europe owns a car, every family in Rwanda has a bicycle. Farm labourers use them to transport their harvest home. Nevertheless, Violette was constantly told that bicycles were not for girls. She secretly watched how the men operated their pedals and brakes, and when no one was watching, she tried to ride herself. Her dream was bigger than the fear of being caught. The boys in her village could hardly believe what they saw when Violette rode her bike. Her parents were less enthusiastic and disappointed in their daughter. The village also reacted critically. People said she would never find a husband this way. After her father's death, Violette managed to convince her mother that cycling really was her passion. Thanks to a fundraising campaign, she got her own bike and was finally able to pursue her dream.

Gold medal and team foundation

Once Violette had proved that she belonged on a bike, she was able to ride more freely. She often came across teams of men with professional trainers. The men were surprised to see a woman on a bike. One thing led to another, and in 2018 Violette was part of the Rwandan team time trial team that won gold at the African Championships. Her sister organised a big celebration: the once banned cyclist had suddenly become a village heroine. Having shown what she was capable of, Violette wanted to help young girls to follow in her footsteps. She studied tourism and obtained a UCI coaching certificate, which enabled her to work as a qualified cycling guide in her home region. At the same time, she founded her own girls' team, which gave young local talent the opportunity to explore the sport. Komera NEWCT quickly became a household name in Rwandan cycling. However, she was not yet dreaming of the World Cycling Championships.

Ridley Racing Team and World Cycling Championships

Cycling experts in Beringen, Limburg, Belgium, had already heard of Violette's story. Not only her sporting talent, but also her social project to promote cycling made her a special personality. When the Ridley Racing Team was founded, she was invited to a performance test and eventually secured a place in the squad. Since then, she has competed in some of the biggest gravel events in the world, including the Traka, The Bright Midnight and Marly Grav. Despite her own sporting career, Violette has never given up on her girls' team. In 2023, they started with just five members at their first training session. Today, a much larger group gathers for weekly weekend training. All participants are schoolgirls between the ages of 12 and 18. As there are not enough bikes available, they share them among themselves. The girls come from different regions and are the same age as Violette herself was when she had to cycle in secret - because cycling was forbidden for women. Her start at the World Cycling Championships is motivation for many of the girls.

Cycling World Championships as a career highlight

The progress they have made is enormous. The young riders from Violette's project are now dreaming of the African Championships and even the World Cycling Championships. Violette's participation in the 2025 home World Championships will bring her full circle. As the first generation of women to cycle professionally in Rwanda, she is paving the way for future generations. The World Championships in Rwanda are not only a major sporting event, but also a symbol of the country's transformation and development. For Violette Irakoze Neza, taking part in these competitions is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream that began with secret rides on borrowed bikes and has now taken her to cycling's biggest stage. Her story is an example of how sport can overcome cultural barriers and drive social change.