After Remco Evenepoel stopped twice to change bikes, it was already clear that he had no chance of winning the world title. The Belgian superstar reported problems with the saddle, a claim contradicted by his mechanics. The disappointment still lingers, but TeamBE has buried the hatchet.National coach Serge Pauwels reflects on the World Championships in Rwanda with mixed emotions. Remco Evenepoel’s world title was a magnificent gold medal, and Ilan Van Wilder even took bronze. The silver in the road race should not be forgotten either, but the fact that it is not gold still causes some disappointment. “There is a bit of disappointment, but we can be satisfied,” the former rider told Het Laatste Nieuws.
The second place, behind Tadej Pogacar, is particularly painful due to the circumstances. “Of course, it’s the finale that lingers the most,” Pauwels knows. “Suppose we had started with silver in the road race and only then won gold and bronze in the time trial, the feeling might have been different. But we are happy with three medals.”
The national coach congratulates Pogacar, who won his second consecutive world title. However, the Belgian challengers remain disappointed by several setbacks that occurred before and during the race. “The strongest rider won. But in ideal circumstances, we might have had a better chance. There was that bad luck, Ilan (Van Wilder, ed.) dropping out, Tiesj (Benoot, ed.) not being there…”
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Belgian team talked it all through: “It’s not as simple as when you watch the race on TV”
Of course, the double bike change was the topic of conversation after the race. The Belgian team is now unanimous in its assessment of the incident. “I spoke briefly with Remco at breakfast, and he himself said that he shouldn’t have stopped,” says Pauwels. “But of course it was a decision made in the heat of the moment, in his bubble without much information. It’s not as simple as when you watch the race on television.”
The 41-year-old Belgian noted that the lap in Kigali may have been too much to the advantage of the Slovenian winner. “Remco also found the course very tough, perhaps a little too much. Not that it was the most difficult race he has ever ridden, but still. When I look back at the World Championships ten years ago, it seems like the sport has evolved significantly. Thanks to riders like Pogacar and Remco, who make the race tough from the start.”
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Evenepoel reflects on World Championships and looks ahead to European Championships: “We can be very proud”Evenepoel himself can now reflect on the race in Rwanda with a sense of pride. “We fought for Double Gold but can be very proud of the Gold and Silver we’re bringing home,” said the Soudal Quick-Step rider on Instagram. “We can look back at a strong team performance, and I want to thank the entire team for the great support in the last 10 days.”
After the loss in Africa, the Belgian is already looking ahead to the European Championships, where he will ride the time trial on Wednesday and compete for the European road title next weekend. “The recovery time is short, but the pressure for the time trial is not that high, ” analyzes national coach Pauwels. “Remco is relaxed, but also still hungry. He is already looking forward to the road race.”