Widar ends partnership with coach via WhatsApp message: "That kind of communication is not okay"

Widar is regarded as one of cycling’s most promising young climbers. This year, he won the Giro d’Italia Next Gen, and hehas been compared stylistically to Tadej Pogacar. Earlier in the season, news broke that Widar was considering leaving Lotto Dstny, though the move was ultimately avoided. Now, however, he’s officially ended his collaboration with Stevens, a coach who played a key role in his development.

Stevens responded with surprise. "I didn’t see this coming. Last season, there was no issue," said the trainer, referring to the fact that young riders who turn pro often have to switch trainers. However, according to Stevens, this is the first time such a situation has occurred at Lotto Dstny.

Nevertheless, the abrupt end is unusual. "A few days before I received the infamous message from Jarno, there was no sign of any problem. In his message, Jarno stated that he would end the collaboration with me. In my opinion, that message was not written by Jarno himself. When I replied that I found this kind of communication absolutely unacceptable, I later received a call from someone within the team. I didn’t pick up because I had nothing to say to them. I only wanted clarity from Jarno, but I haven’t heard anything from him since," Stevens told the Belgian newspaper.

Kurt Van de Wouwer, the sporting director at Lotto, stated that the team had nothing to do with the decision. "The decision to part ways with Danny is 100 percent Jarno’s own," he said.