Maldegem (24brussels) – Belgium’s handcyclist Laurence Vandevyver, 43, is the sole female participant at the G-Cycling World Championships in Ronse, taking place from August 28 to 31. A total of 328 athletes from 51 countries are set to compete, with Belgium aiming for 3 to 5 medals, reports 24brussels.
The Belgian team features only one woman. Vandevyver, hailing from Maldegem in East Flanders, is competing in both the time trial and road race events. National coach Remko Meeusen clarified that this situation is not due to a specific selection criterion.
“There is no particular reason why there is only one woman in the delegation,”
he stated.
“The fact is that we have only two women competing at the elite level, and one of them is out because of an injury.”
Vandevyver expressed her preference for the road race, saying,
“The road race fits my style more, and I think I can do more there than in the time trial,”
What challenges await Maldegem’s Laurence Vandevyver at the G-Cycling worlds?
Reflecting on her unique status, Vandevyver stated,
“I’m obviously happy with my selection, but it’s a shame I’m the only woman. I don’t know why. Maybe because it’s a pretty tough sport. So, a small appeal: to all women who think they’re even remotely athletic, just give it a try,”
As she gears up for the competition, Vandevyver is aiming for a top-five finish, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
“A medal would be wonderful, but it is unlikely. Still, the race must be run,”
She emphasized the need for a strong start, remarking,
“The plan is simple in theory: start strong, stay with the first group, give everything, and increase speed as the race goes on. But it is much harder in practice,”
Vandevyver also mentioned her meticulous preparations,
“Just to be sure, I checked my brake pads thoroughly before driving down the Kwaremont.”
Race officials anticipate a challenging course featuring significant climbs, including Hotond, Kruisstraat, and Kwaremont, with Vandevyver highlighting the difficult descents.
“The Kwaremont has to be descended down to the Klipe in Ronse. During training, I was already reaching 65 to 70 km/h on the bike path there. Keeping the bike under control and having courage is very important in a race like this,”
she shared, noting her approach to managing speed through the sharp turns.
The championships will kick off on August 28, 2025, and span four days, featuring a wide array of competitions across 13 categories. Belgium will send 11 riders across 8 different disciplines.
“3 to 5 medals can be achieved,”
expressed national coach Remko Meeusen. He maintains ambitious yet cautious expectations for the team.
“If we continue along these lines, we might still be able to win three to five medals,”
However, he warned that predicting the competition remains challenging.
“I am cautious, especially after the Paralympics. It is always difficult to predict which riders from other countries will suddenly emerge as strong contenders.”
Extensive media coverage is anticipated, with Todd Fraser, UCI Para-cycling manager, stating,
“For the first time, a World Championship will be covered so well. There will be more than 32 hours of live television with an unprecedented camera deployment.”
Additionally, the city of Ronse will host various side events to engage local fans during the championships. A fan zone will be established at the Grote Markt, including open-air theatre and unique cycling experiences.
“There will be open-air theatre, a bike tour with bikes with large front wheels, and you can try out what it’s like to ride up Kruisstraat on a handbike,”
noted Mayor Ignace Michaux. The city also announced the plan for a new cycling route to support disabled athletes.
The UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, also known as the G-Cycling World Championships, began in 2006 and feature athletes with physical disabilities in various road cycling events. The first standalone version took place in Bordeaux, France, in 2016. Since then, the championships have moved through numerous locations, with Ronse set to host the 2025 edition for the first time.
