Belgium left without a leader for women's elite race in Kigali after multiple abandons

Belgian national team will be severely weakened in the women elite race at the 2025 World Championships. After it became clear that the two-time defending champion Lotte Kopecky will not travel to Rwanda with injuries from Tour de l'Ardeche, the cycling country lost their back-up leader Justine Ghekiere too. Just like Kopecky, Ghekiere also crashed in her last pre-Worlds race, the GP Stuttgart & Region. After falling in a high speed (over 60 kph), the 29-year-old failed to recover in time for the rainbow race and will be therefore absent in Kigali this Saturday.

"In consultation with the medical staff, Justine has decided not to travel to Rwanda," Belgian national coach Ludwig Willems told Sporza.

Although there were no major fractures for Ghekiere, the rider of Belgian champion is badly beat up from the fall and will prioritize recovery: "She suffered abrasions all over her body. Her hand was badly injured and one of her ribs is bruised."

Ghekiere tried to recover in time to travel to Rwanda this week, but a final test on Sunday left her with a headache. "At the weekend, Justine wanted to complete a solid training block, but that didn't work out," Willems said. "During strenuous efforts, she feels like she's driving into a wall, resulting in a severe headache."

Due to the drop-outs, there are no real ambitions for the rivals of super-strong Dutch team anymore and thus no more reserve riders will be called up on last minute. Therefore the Belgian team will include just four names: Marthe Goossens, Marieke Meert, Julie Van de Velde and Margot Vanpachtenbeke.

"It's a real shame. After Lotte dropped out, Justine had the chance to do her thing without too much pressure," Willems said. "It was a perfect course for her. The tough riders were going to be left in the final, and Justine is a tough one."