Young road racing cyclist Kabelo Makatile is gearing up for the prestigious 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships with optimism, despite having limited preparation time.
The event is set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from September 21 to 28, 2025—marking the first time in its 103-year history that the championship will be hosted on African soil.
The UCI Road World Championships is the pinnacle of international road cycling, featuring elite-level competitions such as the road race, time trial, individual time trial, and team time trial. The event is expected to draw over 5,000 cyclists and 20,000 delegates from across the globe.
According to Cycling Federation of Lesotho (CFL) Spokesperson Morie Malefane, this milestone will leave a lasting legacy for cycling in Africa, inspiring future generations and pushing the sport to new heights.
Having represented Lesotho in several international cycling competitions, Makatile expressed his pride in once again wearing the national colors on a world stage.
To prepare, he has been re-invited to train at the World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Cape Town for an intensive camp running from February 15 to March 15, 2025.
Makatile is currently Lesotho’s national cycling champion, having claimed the title in December last year upon his return from an earlier WCC camp.
He is also a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) youth Olympic scholarship beneficiary, first attending WCC training in 2021, where he joined top riders from across the continent.
For this year’s camp, Makatile will be joined by rising star Khotsofalang Rakaota, aiming to sharpen their competitive edge ahead of the UCI Road World Championships.
As part of his training, Makatile was invited to participate in Namibia’s Pro Cycling Team (NCCS) Tour de Windhoek, a four-day event scheduled for February 17 to 20, 2025.
However, due to the passing of former Namibian President Hage Geingob, the tour was canceled.
Undeterred, Makatile has shifted focus to two key domestic competitions, including the highly anticipated Bocheletsane Cycling Classic on March 16, 2025. He is currently awaiting final confirmations from his sponsors before heading to Cape Town for training.
“I am preparing for the biggest cycling competition in the world and I am confident that am going to make myself, the federation and my country proud. For now I am waiting on my funders for the camp to finalise their process so I can leave for Cape-Town,”
“I have to come back in time so I can have enough time to rest in order to prepare for Bocheletsane Cycling Classic. I am going to ask to leave the camp early before its time as it ends on March 15 while the competition is on March 16,” Makatile stated.
According to the Cycling Federation of Lesotho (CFL) Spokesperson, Morie Malefane, this is a momentous occasion that will leave a lasting legacy, inspiring generations to embrace the joy of cycling and continue reaching new heights.
Makatile also hopes to wrap up the WCC camp early to allow for adequate rest before the Bocheletsane Classic.
Makatile’s rising profile on the African cycling scene saw him selected by the Confederation of African Cycling (CAC) to join Team Africa for the 2024 UCI World Championships in France.
Beyond continental recognition, Makatile has built an impressive track record, competing locally, regionally, and internationally, cementing his place among Africa’s most promising cyclists.
With the 2025 UCI Road World Championships on the horizon, all eyes will be on Makatile as he gears up to make history for Lesotho.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports.
Started working at Newsday in 2021.
has an Associate Degree in Journalism and Media.
