“It was a masterpiece” – Célia Gery hails French teamwork as 19-year-old claims historic Rainbow Jersey win in Kigali

In the sweltering heat and high-altitude climbs of Kigali, 19-year-old Célia Gery delivered a performance of tactical precision and raw determination to win the first-ever standalone U23 women's road race at the World Championships — a race she later called “a masterpiece” of French teamwork.

As the finishing straight tilted upwards, Gery surged past Slovakian rival Viktória Chladoňová to claim the Rainbow Jersey, sealing a moment of national pride and personal triumph. “It’s unbelievable,” Gery said after the finish. “It was a long time waiting but it’s amazing. It was a masterpiece for the team. There were only three of us, but we managed to race perfectly.”

Despite facing some of the toughest young talents in women’s cycling, France’s small but mighty trio of Gery, Marion Bunel, and Julie Bego played their cards to perfection. While others burned matches early, Bunel’s relentless tempo-setting on the final cobbled climb set the stage for Gery to pounce in the final few hundred metres. “We had three very strong girls and Marion was amazing at the finish,” Gery added. “I was with Viktória twice — she attacked twice, and I was with her. The other girls were stronger than me in the sprint, so I wanted to stay away with her to try and win.”

That battle with Chladoňová defined much of the race’s closing stages. The Slovakian had been one of the few able to match the French accelerations on the decisive climbs, and wasn’t afraid to put the hammer down when it counted.

“I just tried to stay in a good position and make a move in the last two laps, especially on the first climb,” Chladoňová explained post-race. “I wanted to test the others a bit, and I felt strong, so I tried to attack. The French had a great setup with Marion, and Célia was right behind me the whole time. I gave it everything I had.”

At just 18, Chladoňová’s silver medal adds to a breakout year that already included a silver in the time trial earlier in the week. While her explosive uphill sprint may have come slightly too early to hold off Gery, there was no bitterness in her tone — only pride. “Maybe I started the sprint too early, but I’m still happy with silver. I gave it everything, especially on the Cables climb. Célia was the strongest in the end.”

The race itself was dynamic from the outset, with repeated attacks splintering the field. A solo move from Sweden’s Stina Kagevi inside the final lap threatened to cause an upset before being reeled in by a select group that included Gery, Chladoňová, and Spain’s Paula Blasi. But once the road kicked up again in the final kilometre, it was the French who had the legs — and the numbers — to control the finale.

For Gery, who admitted to some nerves in the closing laps, the support of her teammates was key in converting potential into gold. “The weather conditions were really different compared to France — it was difficult,” she said. “The last two laps were a little bit hard. I wasn’t confident, but I was confident in my team.”

That trust was well placed. On a day when precision and patience proved as crucial as power, France’s three-rider lineup outfoxed deeper teams to deliver Gery into the perfect position — and she didn’t miss. A masterpiece, indeed.