Sunday, September 21st sees two Irish riders take on the Individual Time Trial in the Rwandan capital. Current Time-Trial national champion Ryan Mullen will be joined by former road race national champion Darren Rafferty in the event. Both riders will also take part in the road race the following Sunday, September 28th. This will be a reflection of Mullen’s Olympic programme last year, where he also rode both events. Rafferty rode both events at the World Championships in Switzerland last year, albeit in the U23 category, making the jump to Elite for 2025.
This year’s road race will see one notable exemption, with Archie Ryan withdrawing. Having been initially named in the six to take on the 267.5km race, Ryan saw his Grand Tour debut in La Vuelta cut short by injury, and as those injuries have persisted, will miss out on this year’s World Championships.
This year’s World Championship squad will still feature the most recent Irish Tour de France yellow jersey wearer. Ben Healy arrives in Africa having taken a stage victory in this year’s Tour, as well has donning the prestigious yellow for two days. Healy took top 10 finishes in both the Olympics and the World Championships last year.
Current road race national champion Rory Townsend will feature again this year. Coming off the back of a win at the ADAC Cyclassics and a very strong showing at the Tour of Britain, Townsend brings bags of experience, being no stranger to riding in World and European Championship competition.
Cork’s Eddie Dunbar rounds out this year’s team. Another rider no stranger to operating at the top level, Dunbar has represented Ireland at multiple World Championships, and has had strong showings in several Grand Tours in 2024 and 2025.
More information, including scheduling, is available HERE.
