"If before we were eight (professionals) racing the world championships, now we are five racing the world championships. If before we were 6 elite women racing the world championships, now we are four racing the world championships. If before we were 6 under 23 racing the world championships, now we are 4 racing the world championships". Forgive the sing-song paraphrase, admittedly not very "woke", which recalls the Alligalli refrain, with that unspeakable rhymed verse in 2025.

The Italian national cycling team is involved here, which, as a consequence of a drastic federal spending review, has announced a reduced delegation of riders and staff for the world championship next September in Kigali. One would say that the Azzurri will not be the only ones to have narrowed their selection, given what has been similarly chosen by the Netherlands, Denmark, and France. However, from England and Belgium comes confirmation of full participation by their respective national teams, just as the President of the Rwandan Cycling Federation, Samson Ndayishimiye, reassured: "Everything is proceeding as expected in terms of organization, and the security we can guarantee is maximum, as demonstrated at the Tour du Rwanda in February".

Words that Ndayishimiye pronounced from England, where he attended the final stage of the Tour of Britain, adding that the English and Belgians have recently confirmed their presence. In the case of Belgium, sport seems to be sheltered from confrontations after the interruption of diplomatic relations between Kigali and Brussels, following controversies related to the conflict in Congo. After Nathalie Clauwert, director general of the Belgian cycling federation, confirmed the participation of their selection, it was up to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, to express satisfaction: "This is a positive decision that goes in the right direction. The Belgian team is welcome like all others for a world championship that will be held in Africa for the first time. It will be a popular celebration" he explained.

From England, meanwhile, Ndayishimiye commented on the decision to field reduced selections by some nations: "It depends on the means you have, this sport is expensive for everyone, not just because an African country is hosting the event". Without falling into the trap of hagiographic counter-narratives about the progressive fate of African Cycling, the decision ratified by the Cycling Federation Council seems (unfortunately, we are happy to be clamorously disproved with a memorable result among the Elite men) to not significantly impact the stellar level of the main race that will be disputed on the grueling route of the Rwandan capital.

STELLAR CAST AND BOOKING PORTAL

Let's put it cinematographically: on the poster, three names stand out in large letters, the outgoing champion Pogacar and with him Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenpoel. "Crème de la crème" to say it in French, given that the organization is using Aso in a double partnership with the Belgian Golazo for accommodation. Yes, hotels, whose high cost is cited among the reasons for spending cuts by this or that national team. A bit of comparative fact-checking compared to Montreal, host of the 2026 World Championships, is not a bad idea, not exactly an inexpensive destination, considering that staying in a four-star hotel in Canada - so spoke booking - involves the same rate practiced in Rwanda, where UCI has adopted a dual track, one for national teams and another for spectators or media, to facilitate bookings. In collaboration with the powerful Visit Rwanda (a structure that is not an improvised NGO but a structured, munificent sponsor of PSG and Arsenal), a portal (www.travelzuri.com) has been set up through which one can, for example, choose the Delight Hotel, a four-star superior where teams like UAE Gen Z or Israel stayed during the recent Tour du Rwanda in February, satisfied at check-out.

DOUBLE ROOM IN FOUR-STAR HOTEL FOR 260 EUROS

Just a click: from September 22 to 23, a standard double room costs 260 euros, nothing exorbitant one would say. Regarding airfare, is organizing an expedition to the Equator with certain logistical requirements not easy? "Agreed, just as it wasn't for Australia and just as it won't be in Canada" - says those who think the expensive flights argument is a bit overnarrated. In these situations, moving independently, without bikes in tow (a 23 kg baggage is still included), becomes a competitive advantage: airline ticket in hand, round trip from Malpensa to Kigali at 494 euros, carrier Egyptair, while with the more prestigious Turkish it rises to 700. In economy, obviously.

While the Belgian national team has also announced its presence, despite diplomatic tensions between governments, the vaccination issue remains (yellow fever, malaria) and here some have gotten ahead of the game like Evenepoel, who did the prophylaxis last December. The Mur de Kigali (400 meters in paved road at 11 percent), racing at 1500 meters and above, with a total elevation of 5475 meters, seems more insurmountable than the vaccine problem. Numbers to become familiar with, one hundred days before the World Championship in the welcoming Country of a Thousand Hills. A historic event for the entire Continent.