Belgians won't opt for kamikaze tactics against Van der Poel: "We can discard that scenario"

Sven Vanthourenhout, coaching the Belgian team, faces the challenge this Sunday of guiding one of his riders to the podium. He is well aware of the difficult task of stopping Mathieu van der Poel and sets a realistic goal of aiming for a podium position for his southern neighbors. In an interview with IDLProCycling.com, the former cyclo-cross rider provided his always candid commentary.

Vanthourenhout had already burned the necessary calories by Friday, as we constantly saw him running up and down during the Mixed Relay. The Belgians eventually secured third place, but more importantly: in this way, he also got a first serious look at the circuit in Tábor. "Every day is a new day and that also applies to the course. The main question is whether or not there will be night frost, but I anticipate a challenging course regardless. As the weekend progresses, we will be talking about increasingly difficult conditions. The course will be ridden on more, so it will definitely get beaten up."

According to Vanthourenhout, figuring out how the Belgians should approach the race is not exactly rocket science. "It will reveal itself, especially on this course. From what I can see now, I expect various strategies to unfold on their own." One such scenario involved sending someone along and potentially sacrificing them in an attack by Van der Poel, but that plan is now off the table. "We can discard that scenario. If he is having a good day, things are likely to settle into place very quickly."

Behind them, there are other Dutch riders who can make life difficult for the Belgians. In Belgium, there is even cautious talk of the first World Championship without a Belgian medal in over 25 years. "I feel that it's not an option for the boys, and it's nice to hear that ambition. So, they are mentally prepared, but we also know that it's possible that we won't have a medal," he is ambitious yet realistic.

Vanthourenhout: "Van der Poel doesn't make us forget about the presence of other Dutch riders"

However, the press conference of the Belgians mainly revolved around MVDP. "There is the participation of Van der Poel. If he weren't here, we would be talking about a completely different story. The battle for the title and the medals would be wide open, and Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar, and Lars van der Haar would also get much more attention, even in the media. But make no mistake, I am certainly paying attention to those guys. They have been the revelations of the past months. Mathieu doesn't make us forget about the presence of those guys," Vanthourenhout makes it clear.

With those three, you're talking about three Baloise Trek Lions teammates of Thibau Nys, one of the big Belgian contenders. He himself stated that he's going all out, regardless of who would be riding in front of him in the race. Vanthourenhout also expects no problems whatsoever. "They are all mature and professional enough for that. The riders who are here know why they are here. And they know me well enough to know that I wouldn't just let such things pass. I am convinced that Thibau, as a Belgian, also knows what he needs to do. If he can finish on the podium, he will want to do it regardless of all his teammates," the national coach makes it clear he's not worried.

Finally, there has been cautious talk in the past week after Hoogerheide about a winter without Van der Poel, but after Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout also indicates that this is not immediately expected. "I'm not waiting for the moment when Mathieu would no longer participate. I have too much respect for the person and athlete Mathieu. If he were to make that decision for himself, then everyone will have to accept it."

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