US U23 Time Trial Champion Cole Kessler Focuses on Friday Road Race at Kigali Road Worlds

World Championships under-23 time trial, acknowledging the challenging course and celebrating teammate Jakob Söderqvist's victory.">
September 23, 2025

Kessler Reflects on Challenging Time Trial as Teammate Secures gold at UCI Worlds

Kigali, Rwanda – Cole Kessler, representing the United States, achieved an 11th-place finish in the demanding under-23 individual time trial at the UCI Road World Championships on Monday. the 31.2km course, held at the Kigali Convention Center, proved more tough than anticipated for the American rider, who initially believed it suited his strengths.

A Course That Tested Limits

Despite a strong start, Kessler confessed to struggling with the course’s climbing sections. He openly admitted that the race presented a significant challenge, requiring immense effort throughout the entire duration.However, the day brought a resounding success for his Lidl-Trek Future Racing teammate, Jakob Söderqvist of sweden, who ultimately claimed the gold medal.

Teammate Triumph

Söderqvist’s dominant performance was acknowledged by Kessler, who praised his teammate’s talent and dedication. “He’s a really nice guy, a great rider. Jakob is a big talent,” Kessler shared, observing Söderqvist’s impressive speed during the race. The swedish cyclist’s victory provided a shining spot for the team, showcasing the depth of talent within Lidl-Trek Future Racing.

Early Careers Converge

Both Kessler and Söderqvist embarked on their respective road racing journeys in 2020, gradually honing their skills through years of junior-level competition. Söderqvist secured a bronze medal in the Swedish junior time trial in 2020, while Kessler achieved a gold medal in his junior time trial event in 2021. This shared history adds another layer to their current partnership and mutual respect.

Strategic Insights and Course Feedback

Kessler highlighted the value of insights received from fellow American cyclists Chloé Dygert and Ruth Edwards, who had previously completed the same 31.2km course in the elite women’s division on Sunday. Their feedback regarding the challenging ascents of Côte de Nyanza (4.1km at 3.1%) proved crucial for Kessler’s race strategy.

“They said pretty much what I felt out there on the course, how you have the pace to climbs. It’s really all about how you can recover in between efforts,” Kessler explained.Despite his struggles, Kessler remained proud of his performance, acknowledging the demanding nature of the race.

Here’s a look at the riders’ recent accomplishments:

Rider	Team	Recent achievements
Cole Kessler	lidl-Trek Future Racing	11th Place,UCI U23 Time Trial (2025)
Jakob Söderqvist	Lidl-Trek Future Racing	Gold Medal,UCI U23 Time Trial (2025)

Did You Know? The Kigali Convention centre,the finish line for this event,is a landmark venue in Rwanda,known for its architectural design and role in hosting international conferences and events.

Pro Tip: Recovery between climbing efforts is paramount in time trials with significant elevation changes. Athletes focus on optimizing breathing and muscle recovery techniques to maintain power output throughout the course.

Kessler’s next challenge awaits him in the men’s under-23 road race on Friday, a 164.6km event featuring a substantial 3,350 meters of elevation gain. The elite women will navigate the same challenging course on Saturday, with Kessler prepared to offer insights and support based on his experience.

Understanding Time Trial Dynamics

Individual time trials are a demanding discipline in cycling, requiring a unique blend of power, endurance, and aerodynamic efficiency.Riders compete against the clock, starting at intervals, and are judged solely on their completion time. Success in a time trial relies on maintaining a consistent, high-power output while minimizing wind resistance and optimizing pacing strategies. The course profile – flat, rolling, or hilly – considerably impacts the rider’s approach, with climbing sections demanding exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and descents requiring technical skill and courage.

Frequently Asked Questions About the UCI Road World Championships

• what is the UCI road World Championships? The UCI Road World championships is an annual event where the world’s best cyclists compete for the coveted rainbow jersey in various disciplines, signifying their status as the world champion.
• What makes a time trial different from a road race? A time trial is an individual event against the clock, while a road race involves a group of riders competing together.
• What role does aerodynamics play in time trialing? Aerodynamics are crucial in time trials, as minimizing wind resistance can significantly improve a rider’s speed and efficiency.
• How significant is pacing in a time trial? Pacing is critical in a time trial; riders must maintain a consistent effort throughout the course to avoid fading in the later stages.
• What is the meaning of the rainbow jersey? The rainbow jersey is the symbol of the world champion in cycling and is worn by the rider for one year.

What are your predictions for the men’s under-23 road race? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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What specific course characteristics of the Kigali road race might favor or challenge a rider primarily known for time trialing like Cole Kessler?

From Time Trial Glory to road Race Ambitions

Cole Kessler,fresh off his remarkable victory in the U23 Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Kigali,Rwanda,is now turning his attention to Friday’s Road Race. The American cyclist, representing a strong US contingent, is aiming to translate his time trialing prowess into a competitive showing on the challenging Rwandan roads. This marks a significant moment for Kessler and US cycling, building on recent successes in the U23 ranks.

analyzing Kessler’s Time Trial Performance

Kessler’s gold medal in the U23 Time Trial wasn’t a surprise to those following the young American’s career. He consistently demonstrated strong form throughout the season, culminating in a dominant performance in Kigali.

* course Characteristics: The Kigali time trial course was known for its undulating terrain and technical descents, demanding both power and bike handling skills.

* Key Stats: Kessler completed the course in[InsertOfficialTimeHere-[InsertOfficialTimeHere-research needed], averaging[InsertAverageSpeedhere-[InsertAverageSpeedhere-research needed]and showcasing a remarkable power-to-weight ratio.

* Equipment: Kessler utilized a[InsertBikeModelHere-[InsertBikeModelHere-research needed]equipped with[InsertWheelsetDetailsHere-[InsertWheelsetDetailsHere-research needed], optimized for aerodynamic efficiency and responsiveness.

This victory solidifies Kessler’s position as a rising star in the world of cycling, particularly in individual time trial disciplines. Though, the Road Race presents a different set of challenges.

the Kigali Road Race Course: A detailed Look

The Road Race course in Kigali is notoriously difficult, featuring significant elevation changes and challenging road surfaces. Riders will face a grueling test of endurance and tactical acumen.

* Distance: The U23 Road Race covers a distance of[InsertOfficialDistanceHere-[InsertOfficialDistanceHere-research needed]kilometers.

* Elevation Gain: Total elevation gain is estimated at[InsertOfficialElevationGainHere-[InsertOfficialElevationGainHere-research needed]meters, making it one of the most demanding courses on the World Championship calendar.

* Key Climbs: The course features several key climbs, including[ListKeyClimbsHere-[ListKeyClimbsHere-research needed], which are expected to be decisive points in the race.

* Technical Sections: Numerous technical descents and winding roads will require riders to maintain focus and control throughout the race.

Kessler’s Strategy for the Road Race

While Kessler excels in individual time trials,the Road Race demands a different skillset. Teamwork, positioning, and tactical awareness are crucial for success.

* Team Support: Kessler will rely heavily on his US teammates to provide support, including pacing, sheltering from the wind, and chasing down attacks.

* Breakaway Potential: A key strategy will be to assess breakaway opportunities and possibly launch attacks on key climbs.

* Final Sprint Considerations: If the race comes down to a sprint finish, Kessler will need to conserve energy and position himself effectively for the final push.

* Nutrition and Hydration: given the challenging course and warm Rwandan climate, proper nutrition and hydration will be paramount.

US Cycling’s U23 Program: A Growing Force

The success of Cole Kessler and other young American cyclists highlights the growing strength of the US U23 cycling program. Investment in advancement programs and increased opportunities for racing have contributed to this positive trend.

* Development Pathways: USA Cycling offers a range of development programs, including junior national championships, talent identification camps, and international racing opportunities.

* Recent Successes: Beyond Kessler’s time trial victory, the US U23 team has achieved notable results in recent years, including[ListRecentUSU23Successes-[ListRecentUSU23Successes-research needed].

* Future Prospects: the future looks luminous for US cycling, with a talented pool of young riders emerging and a commitment to continued development.

Kessler’s Preparation and Training Regimen

Kessler’s success isn’t solely based on natural talent; it’s the result of rigorous training and meticulous preparation.

* Training Volume: Kessler typically trains[InsertWeeklyTrainingHoursHere-[InsertWeeklyTrainingHoursHere-research needed]hours per week, incorporating a mix of endurance rides, interval training, and strength conditioning.

* Altitude Training: Prior to the world Championships, Kessler underwent a period of altitude training to improve his oxygen-carrying capacity.

* Race Simulation: K