Introduction
No rider in a race is ever invisible. That is the core promise behind RouBack, a real-time safety platform for professional cycling developed at the Internet and Data Science Lab (IDLab) of Ghent University, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Steven Verstockt. The platform brings together pre-race route analysis, preventive rider warnings and continuous sensing to structurally improve safety in both professional and youth road cycling. The official incorporation as a Ghent University spin-off is planned for end of 2026.
Three phases that set RouBack apart
What makes RouBack unique is not a single technology, but the power of combining three phases that feed and strengthen each other:
- Pre-race screening: Before the race, routes and environmental factors are analysed for risk. Race organisers can draw on an advanced safety database for professional cycling, a tool that helps them make data-driven decisions about course design and safety zones.
- Real-time warning: During the race, RouBack serves as a preventive safety layer. Dangerous points identified during pre-race screening are communicated to riders as they approach them. In addition, last-minute risks that cannot be planned in advance are flagged automatically and in real time, keeping riders informed at every moment of the race.
- Sensing: Sensors on board continuously detect incidents and send alerts to team directors, commissaires and nearby riders, to prevent chain reactions and delays in medical intervention.
By linking these three phases to each other, RouBack makes the system more accurate with every race. This integrated approach, combined with years of race data built up through pilots in both professional and youth cycling, gives RouBack a unique position. RouBack positions itself as the neutral data safety platform, not a sensor vendor.
From research to market: the EIR behind RouBack’s commercial track
To bridge the gap between promising research and a market-ready company, Guy Van Wijmeersch was appointed as Entrepreneur in Residence (Strategy and Commercial), funded through the Industrial Research Fund (IOF). Guy brings a broad background: ten years in internal ventures at Barco, a year as innovation manager at Boplan, and nineteen years of experience as a professional driver working with race medical teams in the cycling world.
Victoris sat down with Guy to discuss his role, the commercial strategy and the road to end of 2026. The platform was founded by Steven Verstockt, Joachim Taelman and Maarten Slembrouck, who continue to lead the project.
Victoris: Guy, what drew you to the RouBack project?
“Two things stood out when I saw the post on LinkedIn. I had been working independently for two years after leaving Barco, and I have long-standing experience as a professional driver working with race medical teams. When I saw the vacancy, I thought: this is exactly where everything I know comes together. After conversations with Steven, Joachim and Maarten, the fit was immediately clear.”
Victoris: What does your role as Entrepreneur in Residence involve in practice?
“Half my work is external: getting the story to the right people in the right way. The other half is internal: keeping the team honest about what problem we solve, for whom, and where the value lies. Engineers want to build products and expand capabilities. My role is to keep coming back to the essence: what is the raison d’être of this company? My job is done when RouBack no longer needs an EIR: when there are paying customers, a funded team, and founders who own the commercial story themselves.”
Victoris: Where does the biggest opportunity lie for RouBack?
“The lighthouse is there. That is the race. That is where we are heading, and everything else is noise. What RouBack has exclusively is years of data, a passion for cycling, and academic credibility that commercial players simply cannot offer. Our biggest potential lies in data governance: becoming the neutral, robust player that brings the right data to every stakeholder. Every party we have spoken to sees that.”
Victoris: What is RouBack looking for right now?
“We are looking for angel investors who have a passion for cycling. This is not a unicorn we are building. It is something with a longer horizon, that can mean a great deal for safety in sport over time. We want people who understand that and can bring real weight to the table.”
Maaike De Mits, rider-in-the-loop and RouBack’s marcom voice
Maaike De Mits joined the RouBack team this summer, bringing a dual perspective as a cyclist herself and as a driver of the team’s marcom efforts and user experience research.
“Now that RouBack has a race-ready MVP and the main technological challenges are largely resolved, the focus is shifting. We are ready to move into the next phase: making RouBack visible to the right audience at the right moment.”
Closing
RouBack is on the verge of transitioning from an academic research project to an independent company. With a strong founding team, proven technology and a clear mission, the foundation is in place. Follow the journey at www.rouback.com or reach out via victoris@ugent.be for partnership and collaboration inquiries.
