Denmark will go to Rwanda World Championships without U19 and U23 teams, leaving Albert Withen Phillipsen behind

The World Championships will be held in late September 2025 in Rwanda. It is a historic moment as the event has never been held in Africa before. While this is remarkable, it also comes with challenges. The uniqueness and significance of the event increase the potential for logistical and financial issues. For Denmark, the problems are significant enough that they will travel to Africa without their youth teams. This is notable because riders like Theodor Storm and especially Albert Withen Phillipsen, both strong contenders, will not be competing. Phillipsen, for instance, won the junior edition in Glasgow in 2023.

Another factor influencing the decision is the European Championships, which will take place just one week later in France. According to the Danish Cycling Federation, this makes prioritization unavoidable. "From a sporting perspective, it is a painful decision to leave the U19 and U23 teams at home. But the high costs of travel and accommodation, combined with the additional expenses for altitude preparation, make this the only responsible choice. Especially in a year where our elite budget is already smaller than in 2024," said Elite Manager Morten Bennekou.

This is the first time Denmark will not send a U23 team to the World Championships. For the U19 team, however, it is not unprecedented; they also did not participate in the 2022 edition in Australia. Still, these moments do not set a precedent. The decisions are pragmatic, Bennekou explained. "It is incredibly unfortunate to have to take this opportunity away from our young riders. But it is a matter of priorities. With this approach, we can ensure that we allocate our resources effectively while continuing to invest in the development of our talents."

Last month, Sporza reported that the Belgian Cycling Federation is also grappling with similar issues. "In addition to the logistical challenge of transporting all the equipment to Rwanda, the hotel prices are insanely high," former technical director Frederik Broché told the Belgian site. "We still have to make the tough decisions, but we would rather not make them. As a cycling nation, we feel we have a duty and responsibility to promote the sport internationally."