Anna Vanderaerden is the new U23 Belgian National Champion
For Anna Vanderaerden, 2026 is going to be a year to remember! On Sunday, she was crowned Belgian Road Champion in the U23 category, after crossing the finish line fourth in the Elite race.
“I am incredibly happy with the result,” said Vanderaerde in a post race interview. “It was a sprint where everyone was completely exhausted. I know I have a sprint on my legs, but at a National Championship, everything obviously has to go right. Because the race was very hard, I was completely wrecked when the sprint started. But I still managed to secure that fourth place… After numerous second places at National Championships, I wanted to score this time. Look at me standing here now.”
The 20-year-old rider of Fenix-Premier Tech Development Team stepped on the highest step of the podium next to her teammate Olivia Vercruysse, who took second place.
Christina Schweinberger conquers her third Austrian National ITT Championship
For the second consecutive year and third time in her career, Christina Schweinberger proved she is the fastest Austrian rider. On Saturday, the 29-year-old FENIX-Premier Tech rider completed the 23.8km time trial course in 31 minutes and 25 seconds, beating by eleven seconds five-time winner Anna Kiesenhofer.
“It was a really cool course that had its challenges, especially in terms of race strategy. The heat and the headwind added to the difficulties. I’m happy that I’ll be wearing the jersey for another year and that I’ll even get to wear it in the time trial at the Tour de France,” said Schweinberger after the race.
On Sunday, Schweinberger stepped once again on the podium after finishing second in the National Road Championship while her teammate Carina Schrempf secured the bronze.
Lotte Claes claims the ITT Belgian National title
Lotte Claes proved to be the fastest rider in Belgium during the elite women’s individual time trial at the National Road Championships. Flying through the 20.7 km long course in 29 minutes and 5 seconds, she outperformed Sandrine Tas (Lotto Intermarché Ladies) by 12 seconds and Margot Vanpachtenbeke (Lidl-Trek) by 28 seconds.
“I’m so happy with this victory! Everything just went perfect: good weather, good legs, fast bike and the best staff ever. They all worked together to keep us as cool as possible until the start. Thanks you all!” wrote Claes on an Instagram post.
The FENIX-Pemier Tech rider is also the first to beat seven-time consecutive winner Lotte Kopecky, who finished fourth.
