Help Team Bolivia race at the World Cycling Champs in Rwanda

What?

Support the Bolivian National Cycling Team race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda.

Why?

In the year of Bolivia’s bicentennial of independence, we want to represent Bolivia at the world’s greatest international cycling championship. We are proud Bolivians and want to continue our country's sports development and pursuit of stand-out results on the global stage.

The three Bolivian cyclists preparing for this year’s World Championships in Rwanda are: Nicole Torrico, who will take part in the inaugural stand alone under 23 women’s road race World Championship (119.3 km), Mario Sanchez will represent Bolivia in the junior men’s road race World Championship (119.3 km) alongside junior teammate Andres Mendez. Unfortunately Floren Villanueva Scrafton has had to withdraw from this year's Championships through illness.

Not only will we help inspire the next generation of Bolivian cyclists, the 2025 World Championships will also be a key kick off point in the preparation and qualification for the next summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, where we aim to make history by having Bolivia represented in both the men’s and women’s road races. (Short rider biographies for Nicky, Mario and Andres can be found at the end).

This year, Team Bolivia will be generously supported by Rene Groot as the on-the-ground Team Manager for Bolivia. Rene has many years experience supporting developing cycling nations and has been working hard alongside Adrián Mateo and Floren Villanueva and the Federation to build a pathway for the future. Rene will manage the Championship administration and travel logistics, as well as providing crucial mechanical assistance and in-race support and guidance. This will allow the cyclists to concentrate fully on maximising their performances for Bolivia.

When?

21st - 28th September (with travel out from Europe on the 21st and return on 27th September)

Where?

Kigali, Rwanda

Amount to fund-raise: £3000 (of estimated total ~£6,000*)

Taking part at any Championships is a very expensive endeavour and this year it is made even more complicated with the World Championships being held in Africa. Considering we currently have no external or internal funding, we are launching this fundraising campaign to help us cover as much of our participation costs at the World Championships as possible. This would enable the Bolivian Cycling Federation to channel its precious resources towards grassroots cycling on a local and regional level.

There is also a limited possibility for companies to have their logo on the official national team kit for this event, offering your company an opportunity to be seen by 320 million television viewers worldwide (for more info please see below ‘Corporate Sponsorships’).

*Breakdown of key expenses (total ~£6,000)

Corporate Sponsorships

Any rewards for corporate sponsorships can be discussed, feel free to send us a message.

Rider biographies

Nicky

I'm Nicole Torrico, 21 years old from Cochabamba, and I represent Bolivia in multiple international championships. I'm the national elite runner-up (2024) and the best under-23 in the same championship. I'm also a two-time national junior champion (2022). Competing in this World Championship means a lot, especially this one, because it will only feature girls in my category (U23). It will be a new experience since I've never competed in an international race with only U23 riders. I hope to give it my best and show the world that Bolivia also has strong cyclists.

Mario

I'm Mario Sánchez, an 18-year-old cyclist from Santa Cruz and multiple Junior National Champion aiming to become a professional cyclist representing my country. Seeing my country's tricolor on an international podium is an incredible feeling, a deep pride that fills me with energy. This World Championship is very important to me as it will be my debut, where a good performance would be a big step towards becoming a professional cyclist. I feel like I'm getting closer to fulfilling my dream and this motivates me not to give up.

Andres Mendez

I'm Andres Mendez, a 17-year-old Bolivian cyclist from Cochabamba, and currently I compete for the Pio Rico cycling team in Bolivia. My goal is to become a professional cyclist representing my country and fulfill the dream my father couldn't achieve. These World Championships are a great opportunity for me, I wish to excel and finish among the best in the world to show that a high level exists in Bolivia. I feel that I carry the weight of my flag on my shoulders, which is why I need to, and must, make a good representation for my country.

Our favourite team photo from last year's World Champs:

Adrián Mateo (last year's stand-in Bolivian Team Manager) and José Manuel Aramayo supporting Floren and Nicky at last year's World Champs road race in Zurich. With no waterproof gloves (nor rain-proof race-kit) Floren and Nicky improvised by wearing cheap laboratory latex gloves over their summer cycling gloves!