Junior Women’s Road Race: Future WorldTour Stars to Watch
Junior Women’s Road Race Preview: arens, Ohiz, and gissinger Headline World Championship Contenders
Megan Arens (Netherlands), fresh off a stunning victory in the junior time trial, will be a key rider to watch in Saturday’s road race. While primarily a time trialist, arens has demonstrated impressive form in recent road races, securing second place at both junior Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. Her success could hinge on a proactive strategy, mirroring the winning long-range attack seen in the men’s junior race.
arens will be supported by Jente Koops, who finished third at junior Flanders and recently took second at junior GP Plouay. She’ll face stiff competition from Oda aune Gissinger (Norway), a strong challenger who finished third in the time trial.
however, Paula Ohiz (Spain) is widely considered the favorite. The junior Flanders champion,Ohiz boasts an impressive season with seven victories and has played a crucial role in Spain’s ranking as the top women’s junior nation for 2025. She’ll be riding for Movistar next season and is determined to upgrade her time trial silver medal to gold. Her powerful climbing ability will be well-suited to the challenging course, featuring the Côte de Kigali Golf and the cobbled Côte de Kimihurura.
Ohiz was also runner-up at last year’s junior Worlds road race, behind now-U23 rider Cat Ferguson (Great Britain). Arens finished fourth in that race, and both riders are expected to be prominent on the Kigali roads.
Erin Boothham (Great Britain), who edged out Arens for the win at Gent-Wevelgem, will be aiming to rebound after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the time trial, hampered by a pedal-clipping issue.