World Para-cycling Championships kick off as Belgium hosts event for first time

The Para-cycling World Championships get under way on Thursday in Ronse, East Flanders, with four days of racing in time trial, road race and relay events. It is the first time Belgium has hosted the event, which brings together athletes from 54 countries.

The competition opens with individual time trials on Thursday and Friday. The course in Ronse is relatively flat, with around 70m of climbing per lap, favouring time trial specialists. Climbing specialists will be focusing on the road races over the weekend, held on a tougher circuit with several hills. The competition concludes with the team relay on Sunday evening.

Belgium is fielding a team of 11 riders, including men and women competing across handbike, tricycle and cycle classes. They are set to compete in all categories, from the MH3 handbike class to the women’s WH3 races.

"A world championship on Belgian soil gives an extra boost"

National coach Remko Meeusen believes the home crowd could inspire his team. “A world championship on Belgian soil gives an extra boost," he said. "We have a mix of experienced medal contenders and promising debutants. If everything falls into place, we can come away with several rainbow jerseys."

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The MC2 time trial on Friday will be one of the most promising races for Belgian fans, when reigning champion Ewoud Vromant defends his title. The 41-year-old from East Flanders faces stiff competition from France’s Alexandre Léauté, who beat him to Paralympic gold in Paris last summer.

"I’m aiming for a podium place - that’s the goal"

But Vromant remains realistic about his chances of becoming world champion again. “I’ve managed to win this title twice, but at all the other World Championships it didn’t work out. So it’s not a given that I’ll extend my title,” Vromant said ahead of the event. “I’m aiming for a podium place - that’s the goal.”

While Ronse hosted road cycling world championships in 1963 and 1988, it is the first time a para-cycling world championship has been organised in Belgium. The world championships for able-bodied cyclists take place in Rwanda in September, a first for the African continent.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Ewoud Vromant © BELGA PHOTO LUC CLAESSEN}

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