Event location and dates confirmed

The 2026 World Para Cycling Track Championships will be held in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, from October 29 to November 1.

France's strong team preparation

Following their top ranking at the World Para Cycling Road Championships in September, the French team has secured 29 medals, including 15 world titles. They aim to continue their success with 12 athletes competing in this new event, led by Laurent Thirionet, performance manager for Para cycling at the French Handisport Federation.

Detailed competition schedule

The championships will include a variety of events across four days. Thursday will feature individual time trials, sprints, and speed events, including men's tandems in the 4 km individual pursuit. Friday will bring new time trial and speed events, along with elimination races and women's tandem qualifications. Saturday focuses on speed events with qualifications and finals, and Sunday will host team events, concluding with team speed races on classic bicycles and tandems.

French athletes' participation

Among the 12 French athletes selected are several Paralympic and world champions, as well as athletes in progression. Katell Alençon, a double European champion and former Paralympian, will compete in the WC4 category. Margot Boulet, a double Paralympic champion in rowing, will make her track debut in the WC5 category. Dorian Foulon, a double Paralympic champion in track cycling, will defend his title in the MC5 category.

Notable French athletes

Anne-Sophie Centis, a visually impaired cyclist in the WB category, will compete with her pilot Lara Lallemant. Centis is a bronze medalist in the individual pursuit and 750 meters at the Paralympics and has earned medals at recent World Championships. Tifany Huot-Marchand, a former short track speed skater, will compete in the WC3 category after her first world championship experience in 2026.

Men's team highlights

Among the men, Grégoire Berthon, a para triathlete and fifth at the Paris Games, will compete in his first World Para Cycling Track Championships. Andréa Ercolanelli and Alexandre Léauté, both with strong international records, will also participate. Mattis Lebeau and Gatien Le Rousseau, both double world champions, will compete in the MC4 category. Mathis Tiphaigne, who won a bronze medal in the elimination race at the 2025 World Championships, will aim to continue his progress in the MC5 category.