Belgian riders win two more time trial medals at cycling world championships

Jasper Schoofs and Matisse Van Kerckhove won silver and bronze respectively in Monday's world junior time trial at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich.

Belgium is dominating the individual time trial at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. Just a day after Remco Evenepoel successfully defended his elite men's time trial title, Schoofs and Van Kerckhove took silver and bronze in the 17-18 age group.

Schoofs and Van Kerckhove were among the favourites in their age group, having both shown their ability at the recent European Cycling Championships in Hasselt, where they finished second and sixth respectively. However, they were unable to beat Frenchman Paul Seixas, who finished 6 seconds ahead of Schoofs.

"The strongest won today, but I am very proud of this silver medal," Schoofs said after the race. "I don't want to skip any steps in my career and want to quietly move up to the professional category." The 18-year-old will ride for the Soudal-Quick-Step development team next season.

"The strongest won today, but I am very proud of this silver medal"

"It's a dream come true," Van Kerckhove said. "It's great to come so close to the world title and take bronze. I'll definitely take this experience with me into the next few years." The Belgian announced in June that he would be joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development.

Four medals in three days

Belgium now has four medals: in addition to Evenepoel's gold medal, Julie De Wilde took bronze in the women's U23 time trial on Sunday. Alec Segaert narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in the men's U23 time trial on Monday.

The World Cycling Championships continue until next weekend. Belgium will be hoping for more medals, including in the men's elite road race on Sunday.

^{© BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}