Partly because of this, some big names and perennial contenders for the Rainbow Jersey have already taken a step back from the fight in 2025, chiefly among them the 2023 World Championship winner
Mathieu van der Poel. "I understand why Van der Poel is not coming," Pauwels admits, perhaps giving some insight also into the plans of one of his nation's stars,
Wout van Aert. "After that Mount Kigali, you also have the Wall of Kigali. That is 500 meters of climbing at eleven percent, on cobblestones. A pure climber is not going to ride away from a classic rider there. But of course on that Mount Kigali he is."
And so it is that the much could depend on the performance of the main favourites on the aforementioned ascent. "Everything stands or falls with how the race will be on Mount Kigali and what will happen afterwards," Pauwels concludes. "But suppose
Tadej Pogacar rides away again and he is all alone, then there is a chance that you will catch him with a good chase."
If, as seems likely given Pauwels comments, that Van Aert doesn't travel to Rwanda,
Remco Evenepoel is expected to gain sole leadership of the Belgian lineup. The 2022 World Championship road race winner is among the leading contenders and most realistic potential challengers to Pogacar's crown.
As touched upon though, whether or not the World Championships will even be held in Rwanda by the time the event rolls around is very uncertain as conflict between the proposed host nation and neighbours Congo is ongoing, with even the European Parliament recently raising the prospect of moving the Rainbow Jersey fight to safer roads.