Road World Championships: Megan Arens secures women’s junior time trial title for the Netherlands
Megan Arens (Netherlands) secured her place in the women’s junior time trial at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, defeating Spain’s Paula Ostiz by 35 seconds. A Dutch rider already set multiple records in junior competitions, showcasing her prowess throughout the 18.3km course. She held off a narrow lead into the climb, extending her lead by over 30 seconds in the final 4.6km, while teammate Roos Müller fell 10 seconds behind. Ostiz, who will join Movistar’s senior team next season, timed her efforts well, overtaking Oda Aune Gissinger by two seconds to claim silver, though Gissinger retained bronze. "It was a tough parcours, but we made a good pacing plan. However, achieving the right watts was challenging, so I focused on my emotions and gave everything I could – and it worked out." The latest race highlights include interviews, features, reviews, and expert insights.
Controversy & Comment Hooks
But here's where it gets controversial... When did the Dutch rider step up? And this is the part most people miss... The race unfolded with home rider Masengesho Yvonne taking the lead, but with 47 starters and strong competition, it was clear a new leader was emerging. Norway’s Oda Aune Gissinger set the fastest time at intermediate checkpoints, overtaking Marlen Rojas by 1:03. Roos Müller came close, but only by two seconds, with Arens’ teammate Megan Aruns overtaking her faster than expected. Spain’s Ostiz and Erin Boothman were within reach, though they narrowly avoided the lead. Results show Arens breaking down the final climb to secure a new best time of 25:47, while Ostiz dominated but managed to beat Norway into provisional second by 2 seconds. James Moultrie, a seasoned NCTJ journalist, joins Cyclingnews as a News Writer since 2023, contributing to various international racing platforms. Outside cycling, he watches rugby, football, and American football.
