National coach Ten Dam abandons his own World Gravel Championship race to watch final Van der Poel

It is possible for a national coach to compete in the race of his pupils in gravel. So Dutch coach Laurens ten Dam started Sunday in the same World Championship as leader Mathieu van der Poel and all the other Dutchmen. Ten Dam abandoned the race en route and then decided to watch the final, in which Van der Poel played a key role.

Ten Dam did make it to Leuven from Halle, but it decided to skip the two local rounds in Flemish Brabant. "It wasn't in the plan for the national coach," he laughed on his social media. "The legs weren't good, and at one point, we were caught up by the age groups, so I took that as a sign to quit and support Mathieu."

"So I heard he was alone in front, but then he was with sixteen. There are eight of them left now," Ten Dam said from a café in Leuven while the race was still in progress. There, he saw Van der Poel make his decisive attack 13 kilometers from the end, making it a perfect weekend following Marianne Vos' title on Saturday.

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Ten Dam ahead of World Championship: "When they start, my role as coach is mostly over"

Before the World Championship, Ten Dam had already hinted that he could do little for his Dutchmen during the World Championship - which would be held without earpieces. "When they start at the World Championship, my role as coach is mostly over. Then I hope they will have a great race with me. And enjoy it because that's also part of it."

"This sport offers something for everyone as far as I'm concerned. Moreover, there is a nice, friendly atmosphere around it. I also want to try to achieve that in my role as national coach," he said on behalf of the KNWU, for which he had a successful first weekend of service. "I have planned a recon for Thursday with a BBQ to focus on a healthy sports meal."

"There, the Dutch can get to know each other, and I want to create that group feeling so that at least they don't get in each other's way at this World Championship, and hopefully, a Dutchman wins. I have set up a shuttle service to start and finish with all kinds of people who support us. So we will be well prepared," he said.