Explore the future of cycle racing
Thursday 23 September 2021
While the riders were on the circuit starting their final, official race recon, Minister Ben Weyts and Hilde Crevits met in M Leuven for the opening of the Innovation Hub. During these World Championships, there is a special focus on sustainability, accessibility and innovation. No doubt, one of the reasons why UCI decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the UCI Road World Championships in Flanders. And not only that, but also because of UCI’s confidence in the experience in organising races that has been built up by Flanders, where the sport has its roots. Flanders was the ideal place for them to put the cycling industry and related innovations in the spotlight.
The Innovation Hub consists of several free components. For example, there’s the Future of Cycling Experience where you can spend 20 minutes immersed in finding the answer to the question of what the future of cycle racing will offer cycling fans, spectators and riders. In a nutshell: the future of cycle racing and cycling in general will be faster, safer, greener, wider and cooler. How come? This is demonstrated by the special reflective helmets, bicycles without external cables, ultra-modern time trial suits and 3D-printed saddles, among other things.
In the Exhibition Domes, in the museum courtyard, you will discover how companies like Image use the very latest technology to analyse and perfect cyclo-cross races, sprints and switches on the track in track cycling. Airofit too is committed to improving the sports performance of athletes. They start with the athlete’s body. You use a device to train your breathing and the muscles in your diaphragm, increasing your lung capacity, which improves your performance. Are riders already up to speed on this? Absolutely! Just ask former world champion of promising riders Quinn Simmons or Alvaro Hodeg, who recently won the Grote Prijs Marcel Kint race.
Intrigued and want to know more? Then come to the Future of Cycling Meetups, where you will be catapulted into the future by great men in the field like Tom Boonen and Steven Van Belleghem at a VIP dinner. On 23, 24 and 25 September, we will meet at 6 p.m. in M Leuven for an evening of networking, panel discussions and innovative pitches. A ticket for the Meetups costs 95 euros. Consult the full programme here.
