“Anyone who hesitates now will pass later” - Wuyts voices concerns ahead of Rwanda World Championships

Michel Wuyts, a prominent cycling commentator, shared his thoughts with Het Laatste Nieuws about the challenging World Championship course set to take place in Rwanda later this year. The brutal route, featuring 5,500 metres of climbing at an altitude of 1,500 metres, has already raised doubts among some of the sport's biggest stars.

"I was shocked when I read Biniam Girmay," Wuyts said, referencing the likely absence of the Eritrean cyclist, who is considered one of Africa’s leading figures in the sport. "He said that participation in the World Championships in Rwanda was far from certain. What? He as the African figurehead of the race. As an ambassador for the next decade. No, said Biniam, I'm not going to make a fool of myself there. 5,500 metres of altitude, at an altitude of 1,500 metres, after a hundred kilometres I'm already shattered. Give Rwanda with its thousand hills to someone else. Oh dear, Kigali can't count on a fellow African."

Wuyts also commented on the hesitation of other top riders, including Belgian star Wout van Aert. "Van Aert is also hesitating. He wants to wait for the Tour first. Gulp. Anyone who hesitates now will pass later."

Adding to the list of uncertain participants is Mathieu van der Poel. "As if that isn't enough, Van der Poel also claims that there is little point in going. Also because it is too heavy. And on September 28, too close to the Mountain Bike World Championships, which he dreams about out loud."

Wuyts further speculated about how Tadej Pogacar might approach the race, particularly if the Slovenian adds the Vuelta a Espana to his palmarès after the Tour de France. "How will Pogacar judge, if he also wins the Vuelta after the Tour? The Slovenian dares to take the scissors. Just look at his forfeit for the Games."