Code red at Belgian federation? After two national team coaches, technical director Broché suddenly leaves too

The 45-year-old Belgian's departure is part of a pattern. National road cycling coach Sven Vanthourenhout left after the World Cycling Championships in Zurich. That departure had been announced in advance. Kenny De Ketele's departure from the track team was also not unexpected. The same cannot be said of the technical director's departure. After De Ketele's farewell on Oct. 7, Remco Evenepoel's new coach told Het Laatste Nieuws that he would stay. "It is not part of my plan to leave. I have an open-ended contract."

Three weeks later, it appears that that plan has completely changed. Broché is leaving: that's what Tom Van Damme confirms. The president of Belgian Cycling sees the technical director leave with a heavy heart but is critical of Soudal Quick-Step's conduct. "Frederik notified me on Monday morning that he wants to return to his old love: coaching riders at a team. We are very grateful to him for all the past year's work, but regret how his future team - Soudal Quick-Step - handled the negotiations," Van Damme said.

As technical director of the Belgian federation, Broché was responsible for the professionalization of the federation. That paid off because, under the Belgian's leadership, Lotte Kopecky and Remco Evenepoel won world titles - five in all - and the latter completed a double at the Paris Olympics. Whether the departure to Soudal Quick-Step will also affect Vanthourenhout remains to be seen: Patrick Lefevere's formation is mentioned as a new employer, but INEOS Grenadiers and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe are also said to be interested.