2025 World Championships in Rwanda already causing headaches for the Belgian federation: "Incredibly expensive"

Rwanda, a country of nearly fifteen million people in East Africa, borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi, with Kigali as its capital. Next year, the capital will host the World Road Cycling Championships. This year’s championships were held in Switzerland, a location much closer for many major cycling countries compared to Rwanda. This presents a considerable challenge for numerous cycling nations.

The situation places cycling federations, especially those from European countries, in a difficult position. Transporting all the equipment to Rwanda’s capital will be a major undertaking. "Besides that logistical challenge, the hotel prices are also incredibly expensive," explained Frederik Broché, the technical director of Belgian Cycling, to Sporza.

Broché has visited Rwanda before and was pleasantly surprised. "The road infrastructure and hotel standards are very good, but there’s a price to pay for that." As a result, some countries may consider sending smaller delegations to Kigali, although Broché hopes this won’t be necessary. "We still have tough choices to make, but we’d rather avoid them. As a cycling nation, we feel it’s our duty and responsibility to promote the sport internationally."

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The Belgian team during reconnaissance of the World Championships course in Zurich earlier this year

Vaccinations also raise many questions for Belgian federation

Aside from the high costs and logistical challenges, another issue surrounding the World Championships in Rwanda is vaccinations. "The riders are somewhat concerned about vaccinations," Broché said, referring to the inoculations for malaria, hepatitis A, and yellow fever. "What impact, for example, does the malaria pill have on the riders’ form? That’s something we need to investigate with our medical team." Another concern that will keep the Belgian federation busy.

Anything else? Well, yes. The European Cycling Championships in France are scheduled just one week after the World Championships in Rwanda, leaving only two days between the World Championships road race and the European Championships time trial. According to Broché, this presents another challenge. "We still need to determine whether we’ll send two different teams depending on the courses. The financial aspect will play a significant role here as well."

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Sven Vanthourenhout (pictured left) resigned as national coach of the Belgians after the World Championships in Zurich

Belgian federation in no hurry to find successor Sven Vanthourenhout

Enough about next year’s concerns, as the Belgian federation is currently busy finding a replacement for Sven Vanthourenhout. The national coach stepped down after this year’s World Championships, and Belgian cycling has begun the search for his successor. "There have been some discussions already, but we’re not in a hurry," Broché explained, adding that one search is more urgent. "Finding a new off-road national coach is more pressing. In the Netherlands, Gerben de Knegt has shown that combining cyclocross and mountain biking is possible for a national coach."

Broché is clear on what qualities the new off-road national coach must possess. "The organizational and coaching aspects are crucial factors when evaluating the candidates." The European Cyclocross Championships are scheduled from November 1 to 3, though Broché indicated that the new coach likely won’t be appointed by then. "But hopefully, they will be in place for the World Championships. That’s the goal."

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