Justine Ghekiere ruled out of World Cycling Championships

Belgian cyclist Justine Ghekiere has been ruled out of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal following a crash at the Faun Tour de l'Ardèche. Medical examinations revealed a small, non-displaced fracture of her patella, an injury that will also end her current season.

Ghekiere was a key component of the Belgian squad built around leader Lotte Kopecky. Her ability to climb was expected to be vital on the Montréal course, which features approximately 2,500 metres of elevation and repeated laps around Mount Royal. Her absence forces a tactical adjustment for the Belgian team, as she would have provided crucial support during the more selective, climbing portions of the race.

Sandrine Tas has been named as the replacement for Ghekiere. Tas, who previously competed as a speed skater at the Winter Olympics in Milan, joins the Belgian selection which includes Sharri Bossuyt, Lotte Claes, Julie Van de Velde, and Margot Vanpachtenbeke.