May 23, 2006 – This past weekend in Spa-Francorchamp was filled with MTB and trial amateurs and riders. For the first time in Belgium, a World Cup heat was organized. Eye-catcher was Belgium’s most talented rider and seven-time World Champion, Kenny Belaey. After a thrilling and difficult final Belaey confirmed his superb craftsmanship and defeated all of his opponents.

It wasn’t entirely sure if Belaey would even make it to the start! Earlier this week, he was ill due to food poisoning. This hampered the preparation for the World Champion to get in shape in time.

Belaey may not have been as sharp as ever, but his performance told otherwise. Despite the bad weather and a track that’s technically very difficult to ride, he beat his opponents. Belaey could almost feel the breath of Vincent Hermance (FRA) in his neck. Fortunately, he overcame the extremely slippery rocks and finished first. A well earned winner with five points less than number two Hermance and twelve points less than Marco Caisso, who finished with 38 points.

Welsey Belaey (19), Kenny’s younger and very talented brother didn’t make it to the finals. In the semi-finals Wesley couldn’t finish all the courses in time and received 14 penalty points, despite a good performance on the Wallon extremely slippery and rocky track.

After his top 2005 year Belaey is under great pressure to live up to the same expectations. 2006 took off badly for him with bad luck, injuries and setbacks, but this victory will hopefully set the trend to the rest of a succesful season. Belaey is determined to win his eighth world title, the sky is the limit!