The 18th edition of the UCI Trials World Cup got underway on May 20-21, in Aalter, Belgium, for the first of five rounds. Aalter organised the opening round in 2012, the only other time it has hosted a round of the UCI World Cup.
In the Men's 20" competition, Abel Mustieles of Spain continued his winning streak from last season, when he won the final three rounds to take the overall 2016 title. The next two spots on the podium also went to Spanish riders, with Ion Areitio taking second and Benito Ros third.
Gilles Coustellier of France was the winner of the Men's 26" category after a close fight with Vincent Hermance (2nd) which was only decided in the last section. Performing in his home town, local star Kenny Belaey finished third.
In the Women's competition, it was UCI World Champion and defending UCI World Cup winner Nina Reichenbach of Germany on the top step of the podium, followed by Manon Basseville of France and Debi Studer of Switzerland.
2017 UCI Trials World Cup #2, Vöcklabruck, Austria, July 8-9
Belgian rider Kenny Belaey is a legend in the sport of trials, and has earned the nickname "The Magician". He began competing 25 years ago this year, and won his first world title as a Cadet in 1998. In 2000, he won the Junior world titles in both the 20" and 26" categories. He has won six Elite UCI World Cup titles and a total of seven UCI World Championship titles across different categories, four of them (in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2010) as an Elite rider.