Why Tadej Pogačar says Rwanda feels safer than Europe

Slovenian cycling star Tadej Pogačar has made headlines by declaring that he feels more secure in Rwanda than in many parts of Europe. His comments came during the build-up to the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, being held in Kigali from September 21 to 28, the first time this major event is hosted in Africa.

Pogačar, along with teammate Urška Žigart and the Slovenian national team coach Uroš Murn, has been training on the roads of Kigali as part of preparations. The Slovenian coach described the course as technically challenging: lots of ups and downs, limited flat terrain, and high speed during descent in training rides.

Despite the difficulty of the route, Pogačar praised the atmosphere and hospitality in Rwanda. He said that while the climate feels a bit harsher, the warmth of the people and the general sense of safety are exceptional. “I feel safe, especially more than in many European countries,” he said.

Pogačar, now 27 years old and a two-time Tour de France winner (2020 and 2021), appears confident. He acknowledged the toughness of the race, expecting many climbs and little chance for rest, but looked forward to using his legs and endurance to shine.