Amid all the Vuelta madness, the World Cycling Championships in Wollongong (Australia) are also being prepared. On Tuesday at 11 am, national coach Sven Vanthourenhout will reveal his selection for the World Cup. Which 8 names did he put on paper?
2 leaders and 1 time trialist
Last year they did not speak the same language, especially after the World Cup in Leuven, but this year – as the national coach has made it clear in recent weeks – Belgium will go to the World Cup in Wollongong with 2 leaders: Wout van Aert in Remco Evenepoel.
The Canadian races and the continuation of the Vuelta a España will determine who can knock a little harder on the table on the eve of September 25 and thus has an edge in the pecking order.
Van Aert fits for the World Cup time trial on September 18, Evenepoel normally doubles.
That vacancy for the time trial will more than likely be filled by Yves Lampaerteven though he was on the brink after the Tour and fit for the European Championship.
Whoever drives the time trial will also participate in the World Championship on the road. That means that Lampaert – as a protégé of Evenepoel – should also be a certitude.
Evenepoel, Van Aert and Stuyven during last year’s World Cup.
Nog 3 certainties
Before the World Cup – apparently a cocktail of the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège – Tiesj Benoot was a no-brainer as road captain, but after his fall on stage in Livigno his season is already over.
Van Aert can, however, expect internal support from Jumbo-Visma since Nathan Van Hooydonck as a workhorse and jack of all trades seems the most obvious option after his rock-solid Tour de France.
Also Jasper Stuyven in Dylan Teuns have known for a while that they can sleep on both their ears and have already reserved their suitcase – without unexpected notification – for the long journey to Australia.
Jasper Stuyven was 4th in his home city last year.
Who will replace Tiesj Benoot?
With Van Aert, Evenepoel, Lampaert, Van Hooydonck, Stuyven and Teuns, 6 of the 8 numbers already seem to have been filled in.
In particular, appointing a replacement for Benoot’s duties will have saddled Sven Vanthourenhout with cutting and pasting.
Who is often quoted in that carousel is Jan Bakelants. At 36, Bakelants proves that his autumn form is more than a must and an important plus is that he gets along well with both training buddy Van Aert and Evenepoel.
Also Dries Devenyns (39) is a veteran, but the craftsman refused a World Cup selection in 2020 so as not to conflict with the World Cup ambitions of bosom friend and teammate Julian Alaphilippe. Does he hold on to that premise and fit again?
Jan Bakelants and Wout van Aert regularly visit each other during training.
No Lotto Belgians, nor Quinten Hermans?
If we look at the last 2 spots, it is often easier to say who does not qualify than to determine who can light a candle.
Lotto-Soudal’s vision is now well known: for the Belgian team, the struggle for survival in the WorldTour takes precedence, Victor Campenaerts, Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens are in principle not relinquished.
Jasper Philipsen has already stated that the course is not easy and Quinten Hermans has repeatedly stated that he had not received a signal from the national coach this summer.
Has the national coach still addressed Quinten Hermans?
Number 8?
Is it then returned to Greg Van Avermaet (37)? Last year he was passed for the first time, but in recent weeks the former Olympic champion has again collected places of honor.
The surprising “njet” of Ineos Grenadiers for the Vuelta has the chances of Laurens More to shrink. Dries Van Gestel in Edward Theuns past races have proven that they don’t think about bulging.
Will there be with Tim Declercq another workhorse pur sang added to the group?
Convinces one of the Vuelta goers like Gianni Vermeersch, Pieter Serry of Louis Vervaeke?
Or does the Belgian selection determiner return to the one that has disappeared from the picture? Oliver Naesen in Sep Vanmarcke?
Tuesday around 11 o’clock we will know which puzzle he has put.
Will Greg Van Avermaet still wear the Belgian shirt?
Who are you taking? Vote here
