Toronto’s Ashlin Barry Earns Silver in Junior Time Trial at 2025 UCI Road World Championships
Introduction
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships brought thrilling racing action to Rwanda, and among the standout performances was Toronto’s Ashlin Barry, who earned a silver medal in the Junior Men’s Time Trial.
Riding for USA Cycling, Barry came within six seconds of victory, narrowly missing out on gold but proving his position among the world’s best young cyclists.
This achievement marked a major improvement from 2024, where a start-house delay cost him valuable seconds and left him in ninth place.
In 2025, Barry showed resilience, focus, and talent—cementing his reputation as one of cycling’s brightest junior stars.
Barry’s Road to Silver
Barry’s ride was a near-perfect display of power and pacing. On a 22.6 km course that tested both climbing ability and handling on cobbles, he kept his rhythm strong and consistent.
His final time placed him only six seconds behind Dutch champion Michiel Mouris, who secured gold with a time of 29:07.
For Barry, this was more than just a medal—it was a statement. After a tough 2024 campaign, the young rider showed that setbacks are temporary and determination pays off.
The Course: Côte de Nyanza and Côte de Kimihurura
The Junior Men rode the same route as the U23 Women, which featured two defining obstacles:
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Côte de Nyanza (short side climb): A sharp ascent that forced riders to carefully manage their power output early in the time trial.
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Cobbled Côte de Kimihurura: A technical section that required bike handling skills and the ability to maintain momentum over rough terrain.
At 22.6 km, the course demanded a balance of speed and endurance. Riders who went out too hard risked fading, while conservative riders lost precious seconds against the clock.
Canadian Performances: Rigby and Bergeron
While Barry was racing for Team USA, two Canadians carried the maple leaf in Rwanda:
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Monty Rigby finished a respectable 15th place, just over a minute behind the winner.
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Antoine Bergeron faced difficulties on the day, placing 49th, more than four minutes back.
Rigby’s result shows promise for the future of Canadian cycling, while Bergeron’s effort highlights the challenges of competing on the world stage.
Race Timeline: From Early Leaders to the Podium
The time trial saw several changes in the hot seat as riders pushed the limits.
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Pacifique Byusa (Rwanda) set the early benchmark at 34:34.
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Artyom Proskuryakov (Azerbaijan) improved to 32:47.
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Matvei Yakovlev (Russia) went even faster with 32:13.
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Vanja Kuntarič (Slovenia) briefly held the top with 31:20.
Momentum shifted when Vilgot Reinhold of Sweden posted a sharp 29:55, inspired by fellow Swede Jakob Söderqvist’s gold medal a day earlier. Soon after, Beckam Drake (USA) and Seff Van Kerckhove (Belgium) traded leads, before Michiel Mouris (Netherlands) stormed to the fastest time with 29:07.
Barry came agonizingly close, securing second place just six seconds behind, while Van Kerckhove settled for bronze at +0:08.
Official Results – Junior Men’s Time Trial (2025 UCI Worlds)
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🥇 Michiel Mouris (Netherlands) – 29:07
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🥈 Ashlin Barry (USA) – +0:06
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🥉 Seff Van Kerckhove (Belgium) – +0:08
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Monty Rigby (Canada) – +1:12
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Antoine Bergeron (Canada) – +4:38
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Farewell to a Legend: Nino Schurter’s Final World Cup
While the Junior Men’s Time Trial made headlines for rising stars, the cycling world also said goodbye to a legend. Nino Schurter, the Swiss mountain biking icon and the most decorated male cross-country racer in history, rode his final World Cup race in Lenzerheide.
The home crowd roared for the veteran, celebrating his career filled with victories, records, and unforgettable performances. Teammates, rivals, and fans alike shared tributes, recognizing Schurter as the Greatest of All Time in cross-country MTB.
My Opinion
Ashlin Barry’s silver medal is more than a podium finish—it’s a breakthrough. To bounce back after last year’s misfortune and deliver a world-class performance shows true mental strength. In my view, Barry has the potential to become one of North America’s leading cyclists in the coming years.
My Suggestion
For Barry, continued focus on time trialing could open doors to Grand Tour opportunities in the future. Canadian cycling authorities should also invest more resources into nurturing homegrown talent like Monty Rigby and Antoine Bergeron, ensuring Canada remains competitive on the world stage.
My Calculation
Looking at the numbers:
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Mouris won with 29:07.
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Barry was just six seconds slower—less than 0.35 seconds per kilometer.
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Van Kerckhove trailed by eight seconds, which shows how tight the margins were among the top three.
A slight equipment upgrade, better aerodynamics, or even marginal pacing improvements could have turned silver into gold for Barry.
My Experience/View
Having followed cycling championships for years, I can say this Junior Time Trial was one of the most competitive in recent history. The intensity of the course, the unpredictable lead changes, and Barry’s near win added drama. From my perspective, we are witnessing the emergence of future stars who will shape professional cycling in the next decade.
Conclusion
The 2025 UCI Road World Championships highlighted both the future and the past of cycling. Toronto’s Ashlin Barry confirmed his status as a rising star with his silver medal performance, while fans bid farewell to the legendary Nino Schurter.
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For Canadian cycling, Rigby’s top-15 finish and Bergeron’s experience add depth to the nation’s development program. Meanwhile, Mouris’s victory keeps the Netherlands at the forefront of international cycling.
The Junior Time Trial may have lasted less than 30 minutes, but its impact on careers—and the sport’s future—will be felt for years.