This year’s UCI Road World Championships took place in Bioracer’s homeland. Flanders was the scene of the battle for the U19, U23 and elite rainbow jersey. First up, the time trialists made their way through the cycling-crazy Flemish people. Between Knokke-Heist and Bruges, the Bioracer athletes grabbed ten time trial medals. A reward for the long days in the wind tunnel looking for those marginal gains. #wemakeyoufaster. The exciting road races in and around Leuven resulted in another four medals for Bioracer.
Van aert and Evenepoel in their own country
Remco Evenepoel in top form snatched the hotseat and managed to defend it with verve, a fine performance from the ‘Aero Bullet’. While the other competitors were trying to beat him, it soon became clear that only the last two riders would be diving under his time. Wout van Aert or Filippo Ganna, who could take home the rainbow jersey? Finally, the Italian rider was five seconds faster than van Aert and succeeds himself as World Time Trial Champion. The result: silver and bronze for two Belgian Bioracer riders.
Dutch women dominate in time trial
In the women’s time trial, everyone looked forward to seeing the Dutch women racing. Ellen van Dijk was top favorite after her performance at the European Championships. At the first intermediate time, she immediately showed that her great shape had not yet disappeared. At the finish in Bruges, she set a great time! She was 10 seconds faster than her first pursuer, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser. Her compatriot Annemiek van Vleuten finished on the third place.
Farewell in style for Tony Martin
For Tony Martin, the UCI Road World Championships also marked the end of an era. The Mixed Relay team time trial became a farewell in style. With his team, ‘der Panzerwagen’ was able to add another world title to his name in his very last race. Congratulations Tony! The Dutch team then took the silver after a strong catch-up effort by the Dutch ladies.
Road races in Leuven
For the road races, the cycling circus moved towards Leuven. On the hilly race route, the very best riders competed for the rainbow jersey. One thing was for sure: there was an amazing atmosphere. Massive crowds lined the race route in Leuven’s city center. Never seen in contemporary cycling.
Dutch ladies beaten & Belgians bite the dust
On Saturday, the junior and elite women raced. The Dutch formation was (again) the favorite this year but was unable to win the rainbow jersey. Vos finished on a second place after a perfect lead-out from Italy’s Balsamo. On Sunday, all eyes were on Wout van Aert and the Belgian selection. Throughout the race, we saw a strong Belgian team that was loudly encouraged by the fantastic crowd. But on the penultimate passage over Mount St. Anthony, Julian Alaphilippe mercilessly popped away from his competitors and took his second world title. Dutchman Dylan van Baarle sprinted in the background to the second place and secured the 14th Bioracer medal of this World Championships.
