Dutch cyclist Megan Arens emerged victorious in the Women’s Junior Individual Time Trial at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 18.3-kilometer race, which took place on Tuesday, September 23, saw the 18-year-old dominate the competition with an impressive time of 25:47.41, securing her the gold medal.
“It was a really hard race. I tried to go a little easier on the first climb and push harder on the last one. This win really means a lot to me. I still can’t believe it just happened,” she remarked after her victory.
Megan Arens continues her winning streak
Megan Arens
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Arens, a rising star in the world of cycling, is no stranger to success. She has had a stellar season in 2025, placing second in the prestigious Ronde van Vlaanderen WJ and Gent-Wevelgem WJ.
Last year, she also won the National Women’s Junior Individual Time Trial title. With her strong performance in Kigali, Arens continues to solidify her reputation as one of the top junior cyclists globally.
Ostiz Taco pushes hard and grabs the silver with only two seconds to spare
Paula Ostiz Taco
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In second place, Spain’s Paula Ostiz Taco finished with a time of 26:22.71, 35.30 seconds behind Arens.
Ostiz Taco, who won the 2024 European Junior Time Trial Championship, had an outstanding season in 2025, securing victories at the Grand Prix Valromey Tour Féminin and the Watersley Ladies Challenge, as well as finishing as the runner-up in both the Spanish Junior Time Trial Championship and the Women’s Junior race of the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Norwegian Oda Aune Gissinger secures the third spot
Oda Aune Gissinger
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Norwegian rider Oda Aune Gissinger, another standout in time trials, took third place with a time of 26:24.95, just 37.54 seconds off Arens’ pace.
Gissinger, the current European Junior Time Trial Champion, has quickly become one of Norway’s brightest cycling talents. This year, she won the Grand Prix Ceratizit Women Junior and the Norwegian Junior National Championships, among other accolades.
Erin Boothman’s near-podium finish marred by mishap
Erin Boothman
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The competition was fierce, with several other top riders, including Roos Müller of the Netherlands, Erin Boothman from Great Britain, and Canada’s Sidney Swierenga, (PEZ profiled her here) finishing closely behind.
However, Boothman, the 2025 European Junior Time Trial Champion, was on track for a podium finish, having been very close to Arens at the intermediate point. Unfortunately, at the bottom of Kimihurura, she clicked out of her pedal, which not only cost her the chance at gold but also ended her podium hopes, as she finished in fifth place with a time of 26:36.10, just 48.69 seconds behind Arens.
Women Junior Individual Time Trial: Top 10 Results
- Megan Arens (NED) – 25:47.41
- Paula Ostiz Taco (ESP) – 26:22.71 (+35.30)
- Oda Aune Gissinger (NOR) – 26:24.95 (+37.54)
- Roos Müller (NED) – 26:34.92 (+47.51)
- Erin Boothman (GBR) – 26:36.10 (+48.69)
- Sidney Swierenga (CAN) – 26:41.14 (+53.73)
- Maria Okrucinska (POL) – 26:54.25 (+1:06.84)
- Abigail Miller (GBR) – 27:19.43 (+1:32.02)
- Liliana Edwards (USA) – 27:20.17 (+1:32.76)
- Laura Five (BEL) – 27:23.54 (+1:36.13)
Local riders Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana show their potential
Yvonne Masengesho
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Liliane Uwiringiyimana
© SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd)
Rwandan junior cyclists Yvonne Masengesho and Liliane Uwiringiyimana competed fiercely in the race, completing the course in times of 29:43.04 and 30:58.67, finishing in 33rd and 40th place, respectively. While not placing among the top contenders, their performance highlights the progress and potential of Rwanda’s young talent in the global cycling arena.
The post Worlds ’25: Junior Women’s TT: Dutch cyclist Megan Arens strikes gold in Women’s Junior Individual Time Trial appeared first on PezCycling News.
