Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Wednesday September 25, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Belgium coach Sven Vanthourenhout has assured that his team is mainly focused on helping Remco Evenepoel during the road race of the World Championships, this Sunday in Zurich.
Remco Evenepoel intends to continue his collection. Already crowned Olympic champion in the time trial and then in the road race at Paris 2024, the Belgian kept his rainbow time trial jersey last Sunday in Zurich. But, while the men’s elite road race will conclude the program next weekend, the Belgian selection is approaching the event with ambition on “a course that should not be underestimated, but certainly not overestimated either”, according to the comments of coach Sven Vanthourenhout collected by the Dutch-language Belgian daily The latest news. Despite a positive elevation gain of over 4,000 metres over a distance of over 270 kilometres, this course could allow for “long pedalling with constant power”, added the former rider. “You will then find yourself with many riders who could claim victory”. Beyond Remco Evenepoel alone, two names keep coming up as favourites for the rainbow jersey. There is that of defending champion Mathieu van der Poel and that of Tadej Pogacar.
Vanthourenhout: “Evenepoel can count on his team 100%”
The latter did not hide his desire to win a first world championship title. Asked about the possibility of putting a strategy in place to counter the Dutchman and the Slovenian, Sven Vanthourenhout assured that this was not the case, even if he admits that they “will be serious customers”. “I don’t have a Pogacar or van der Poel plan,” he said. “I have in mind the way we want to ride this Sunday, but it is a plan to win the race.” The Belgian coach added that “preparing a plan against one or more riders is very dangerous” because of a peloton that will be larger than usual. Instead, the Belgian selection intends to approach this race as it did earlier this summer. “Remco Evenepoel can count 100% on his team,” said Sven Vanthourenhout. “Like at the Olympic Games, we will count on our own strengths. We come once again with a solid collective and that gives us confidence.” The other candidates for the rainbow jersey have been warned.
