Bytager the publication "Vaccines and boiled water: drastic measures in Rwanda"
It is while reading an article from La Dépêche that we discovered the particularly strict health measures that govern the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda (September 21-28, 2025). Vaccinations, boiled water, daily pills, procedures in case of bites or stings... so many precautions that remind us that high-level cycling, sometimes, is played out far from the finish line. When cycling is also combined with caution, every action counts.
By Jeff Tatard – Photo: DR
Before even riding, each athlete must tick off an impressive list of constraints :
- Mandatory vaccinations (hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, typhoid)
- Preventive treatment against malaria, to be taken every day
- Water always controlled: bottled or boiled, including for cooking and ice cubes
- And this strict rule which sounds like a survival slogan: “ Any runner bitten will be repatriated »
These instructions may seem excessive, but they reflect a reality: The riders will have to deal with an environment that does not forgive mistakes..
The mind, the first line of defense
We know: legs aren't everything. Mental health will be scrutinized as much as physical health. Doctors won't just check for injuries or heatstroke: they'll also take the time to assess morale. In this type of context, anxiety, psychological fatigue, or fear of the unknown can weigh as heavily as a 12% grade.
The questions we need to ask
When we discover these precautions, we wonder :
- How do teams apply these rules on a daily basis?
- What about less structured training courses with fewer logistical resources?
- Where is the line between necessary caution and an anxious climate?
- And above all: what lessons can be learned for other competitions in countries with demanding health conditions?
We love to talk about watts, exploits, and victories. But we also know that cycling isn't just about visible performance. The Kigali World Championships are the perfect example: The riders will have to fight a double battle, against their opponents and against an environment where every health detail can change the course of their adventure.
Beyond the race, a global commitment
By discovering these realities through La Dépêche, we can better measure what such a move representsCycling isn't just about crossing a finish line. It's a sport where you expose yourself, accept risk, and learn to be prepared for everything—from Alpine passes to African mosquitoes.
And at 3bikes, we like to remind you that behind each bib, there are women and men capable of adapting, resisting and sometimes even surviving before being able to give the best of themselves on the bike.
