South African rider Byron Munton warns of brutal ‘neck breaker’ climb at Rwanda Worlds

"That's going to be quite nasty doing it 15 times in the road race, the cobbled climb with gradients up to 13%. So that's going to be a neck breaker," said Munton on the Domestique Hotseat, who arrived in Rwanda yesterday and has already reconnoitred parts of the course.

While the cobbles differ from those found in European classics, they will still present a significant challenge. "I would say it's not a place where you're to break wheels like in Roubaix, but it's still going to have an impact on the race," Munton explained.

The time trial circuit includes several demanding sections, featuring an out-and-back route that incorporates climbs on both sides. Riders will face a 2.5 km section at 5.6% on the outward leg, followed by a 6.6 km stretch at 3.5% on the return.

Two additional smaller climbs, including the aforementioned cobbled ascent, complete what appears to be one of the most challenging World Championship time trial courses in recent years.

The atmosphere in Rwanda is building steadily ahead of the championships, with local authorities reportedly giving citizens time off to celebrate the event. Though Munton has only been in the country for a day, he has already noticed the growing excitement.

"I think things are still starting to get set up. I rode past the headquarters, and they've just started putting all the tents up and everything," he said. "But riding past people on the road, there's kids shouting and screaming, so I think there's a lot of excitement coming up."

As competitors continue to arrive and familiarise themselves with the courses, the technical and physical demands of the Rwanda World Championships are becoming increasingly apparent, with the cobbled climb likely to prove decisive in both the time trial and road race events.

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