No European Time Trial Championships for Remco Evenepoel, Belgium heads to European Road Cycling Championships with four (!) sprinters
Cycling
The Olympic time trial champion, Remco Evenepoel, will not be at the start of the European Time Trial Championships next Wednesday, as announced by the Belgian cycling federation on Tuesday. The selection for the road race was also revealed, with the Belgian team relying on no fewer than four fast riders.
National coach Sven Vanthourenhout explained this decision in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. "The impact of the summer is significant. Remco fears he won't be ready in time. He has a certain status, and much is expected of him. He expects a lot from himself. If you can't live up to that, it's better to stay away." In the same report, the Belgian cycling federation confirmed who they will count on for the European Time Trial Championships in Limburg. That honor goes to Victor Campenaerts, who will ride for Visma next year (currently with Lotto Dstny) and time trial specialist Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step).
Four sprinters for European Road Cycling Championships
For the road race, Belgium's hopes rest on eight powerful riders, including four sprinters: Tim Declercq (Lidl-Trek), Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Tim Merlier, Bert van Lerberghe (both Soudal Quick-Step), Jasper Philipsen, Jonas Rickaert (both Alpecin-Deceuninck), Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty) and Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike). The national coach also provided explanations for this selection. "A group of eight riders with strength, who don't shy away from some serious racing," says Vanthourenhout. "They are used to riding classics and taking control. It's up to me to organize the riders into roles and see if they are ready to adhere to a specific race strategy. Only one can win, through the right agreements."
The coach has selected both Philipsen and Merlier, a decision that Vanthourenhout admits he struggled with. "I am not afraid to say it: it is not my vision to have two top sprinters on one team. But if you leave one of them out, you must have a solid reason for it. I couldn't provide one for either Jasper or Tim. They have had a particularly good season. I'm honest about that."
Belgian selection for European Road Cycling Championships 2024
Tim Declerq
Belgian selection European Time Trial Championships 2024
Victor Campenaerts
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024