Belgian Cycling Factory shines at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda

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The UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, the first Worlds ever held on African soil, are the highlight of the season. For Belgian Cycling Factory, they are especially meaningful, as several athletes have a clear connection with our brands and expertise. Riders competing on Ridley Bikes and talents who prepared at the Aero Performance Lab are in the battle for the rainbow jersey. Taking place at altitude and in warm conditions, this World Championships presents the athletes with additional physical challenges.

Megan Arens crowned Junior Time Trial World Champion

Earlier this year, Dutch rider Megan Arens visited the Aero Performance Lab with her manager David van der Poel to optimize her time trial position. The junior women’s time trial at the World Championships in Rwanda offered tough conditions with heat, altitude, technical corners, and even a cobbled climb near the finish. Megan rode a consistent race and used her speed efficiently, while other riders lost time. At the intermediate split she was already 2 seconds ahead, and she eventually crossed the line 35 seconds clear of her closest rival, securing the coveted rainbow jersey.

Katrine Aalerud strong top-five finish in Elite Women’s Time Trial

At the World Championships in Rwanda, Katrine Aalerud finished 5th in the elite women’s time trial, just 20 seconds off the podium. As the Norwegian time trial champion with Uno-X Mobility Team, she once again proved her capabilities in a highly competitive field and confirmed her place among the international elite. Her performance showed how consistency and experience can make the difference in a stacked race. In the road race, she added another strong result with 14th place.

Andreas Leknessund takes sixth in Elite Men’s Time Trial

Andreas Leknessund delivered a strong performance in the elite men’s time trial, finishing 6th in a highly competitive field. Racing for Uno-X Mobility on his Ridley Dean Fast, he executed an excellent pacing strategy that allowed him to distribute his effort efficiently and secure a place among the best riders. In addition, he finished 25th in the road race.

Violette Irakoze Neza represents Ridley Racing Team and Rwanda

Violette Irakoze Neza lined up for the road race at the World Championships in her home country, Rwanda. As a rider for the Ridley Racing Team, she competes on a Ridley bike, showcasing how talent, preparation, and equipment come together. Violette’s journey is remarkable — from secretly learning to ride a bike in an environment where it wasn’t encouraged for girls, to racing international gravel events and achieving gold with the Rwandan team time trial squad at the African Championships. Her participation in the Worlds is not only a sporting challenge, but also an opportunity to inspire young girls in Rwanda and beyond, showing what determination can achieve.

Quinten Hermans plays key role in Remco Evenepoel’s silver medal

Quinten Hermans delivered a strong performance at the World Championships, riding in support of pre-race favorite Remco Evenepoel. After Evenepoel suffered some bad luck, Hermans repeatedly brought him back to the front, enabling him to eventually secure the silver medal. This achievement was also the result of a focused preparation in collaboration with the Aero Performance Lab, where Hermans completed multiple climate chamber sessions to adapt optimally to the Rwandan conditions.

Challenging World Championships for Jarno Widar and Kamiel Eeman

Jarno Widar and Kamiel Eeman prepared for the World Championships together with the Aero Performance Lab, completing multiple climate chamber sessions to adapt to the conditions in Rwanda. Widar started as one of the favorites, but had an off day and had to settle for 34th place. Kamiel Eeman rode in support of his leader and finished 33rd. Both riders naturally had hoped for more.

Danish Team Rytger – Carl Ras competing on Ridley Bikes in Rwanda

The Team Rytger – Carl Ras, racing on Ridley bikes, delivered strong performances at the World Championships in the junior women’s category. Laura Fivé impressed with an excellent 10th place in the time trial and a solid 11th place in the road race. Teammate Marten Dolven also showed her strength, finishing 26th in the time trial and 31st in the road race.

Strong performances for Mats Van den Eynde in the juniors

Racing for Acrog–Tormans, Mats Van den Eynde delivered a solid World Championships in the junior category, finishing 19th in the time trial and 14th in the road race. He did so on his Ridley Dean Fast in the time trial and his Ridley Falcn RS in the road race, securing two top-20 finishes and confirming his consistent form.

Watersley R+D Team present at the Junior World Championships

The Watersley R+D Team, competing on Ridley bikes, made its mark at the World Championships in the junior categories. Sidney Swierenga delivered an impressive performance with 6th place in the time trial and a strong 4th place in the road race. Teammate Maria Okrucińska also finished in the top ten, taking 9th place in the road race. In the men’s juniors, Canadian Ben Morin placed 34th.