"Would you cycle in Russia?" - Dutch journalist criticizes the World Championships in Rwanda

While some rejoice on the occasion of the first-ever World Championships on African soil, there are also those who look beyond the facade and warn about serious issues that resurface for the sport of cycling from this event taking place in Rwanda in particular.

"That country's leader, Paul Kagame, would be in the top three if you were to list the most brutal, murderous government leaders of the past 30 years. Ordinary Rwandans are victims rather than beneficiaries of this event," Dutch journalist Thomas Sijtsma explains his issue with this year's World Championships on the In de Waaier podcast.

"We are all legitimizing Kagame's oppression and the assassination of opposition leaders. The cyclists also need to understand that they are pawns in the game. I understand that you want to cycle a World Championship. But ask yourself this: would I cycle a World Championship in Russia? If the answer is no, then you certainly shouldn't cycle in Rwanda."

Thijs Zonneveld adds that it's hard for cyclists themselves to create any change. "In this case, the athlete is the weakest link. I'd love for riders to speak out, but you rarely see that. Pello Bilbao spoke out this week against the genocide in Israel, and Soren Waerenskjold once refused to ride the Saudi Tour. But that happens very rarely."

Among the many reasons why is that so, one that stands out is that it's essentially these "grey list" countries that pump large amounts of money into the sport of cycling, allowing the birth of modern-day superteams. And they're paid back by "sportwashing" of their names through good results etc.

"Especially because there are so many sponsors in cycling who use the sport to enhance their image." However Zonneveld understands that you can't just disband a team based on your principles and neither would you wish to lose your job just like that. "But leaving this choice up to the riders themselves is, in my opinion, the worst option."

Zonneveld instead points the finger at the UCI who are seemingly applying a double standard when it comes to their stances, something that has been criticized heavily after the disgrace of 2025 Vuelta a Espana: "Of course, the responsibility lies primarily with the UCI. They're issuing a statement after the Vuelta that politics and sport don't mix, while a week later we're simply going to Rwanda to ride a World Championship..."

Sijtsma believes cycling has grown too dependent on the money from Middle East and other dubious parties: "It's gotten to the point where it's almost impossible to stop. What would cycling be without the money from these kinds of regimes? There wouldn't be much left. When we think of the UAE, we all think of Tadej Pogacar, not the human rights violations while they supply weapons to Sudan."

The Dutchman finally expressed his faul mood over this whole situation: "I have very little desire to write anything about cycling at this World Championships in Rwanda. You can't ignore it, and journalists have to address it."