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Team USA

Katherine Sarkisov Finishes Top-15 in First Standalone U23 Women’s Race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships

By: Angelina Palermo  September 25, 2025

Three American women competed in the inaugural event alongside the incredible fans in Kigali.

The U23 Women kicked off the road races at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. Since 2022, titles have been awarded for the Under-23 Women, but until today they competed alongside the Elite field.

U23 Women’s Road Race

Katherine Sarkisov (North Potomac, Md.; CCB p/b Levine Law Group Cycling), Mia Aseltine (Littleton, Colo.; Competitive Edge Racing), and Ella Sabo (Redlands, Calif.; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28) took on eight laps of the demanding 15km circuit around Kigali, totaling 119km with 2,435 meters of climbing.

The first-time riders hit the Kigali Golf Climb, the field splintered, pushing the strongest riders to the front. By the midway point, many nations were down to a single rider, with Sarkisov left to represent Team USA. With two laps to go, a few attacks were launched, but the peloton reeled them back in.

On the final lap, the peloton lifted the pace, and riders clung to the lead group, leaving 25 contenders in the mix as they crested the cobbled Kimihurura Climb. With 2km remaining, Marion Bunel (FRA) launched an attack. Viktoria Chladonova (SVK) bridged across with Celia Gery (FRA) on her wheel. Bunel pulled through, Chladoňová opened the sprint at 300 meters to go, but Gery came around to take the title in a sprint finish.

As the climb split the group, Sarkisov held her position in a six-rider chase just outside the top ten. She crossed the line in 14th place to close out a strong ride for Team USA.

Results:

1. Celia Gery (FRA)

2. Viktoria Chladonova (SVK)

3. Paula Blasi Cairol (ESP)

14. Katherine Sarkisov (USA)

35. Mia Aseltine (USA)

DNF. Ella Sabo (USA)

USA Cycling’s participation in the World Championships is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. To support the USA Cycling National Team, members can donate to the USA Cycling Foundation here. USA Cycling's supporting partner for this event includes HOVERAir, who shares our mission to elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of cyclists.