The most anticipated announcement concerned the quartet that will make up the men’s road cycling team. Or rather the two runners who will have the mission of supporting Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert on August 3 in the City of Lights. Sven Vanthourenhout quickly confirmed what we expected: the two lucky winners are Tiesj Benoot and Jasper Stuyven. No Arnaud De Lie, fresh Belgian champion, nor Jasper Philipsen, another credible candidate.
guillementBelgian cycling is so strong at the moment that I could have selected fifteen candidates for victory.
“The choice of Remco and Wout goes without saying since the two of them have already won eight medals, whether at European, world or Olympic level”launched the national coach before adding: “For the rest, it was not easy. Belgian cycling is so strong at the moment that I could have selected fifteen candidates for victory. But I believe that it is not by taking the four best individuals that we give ourselves the best chance of getting on the podium at the end of such a special race.”
guillementI am convinced that experience and a good reading of events will constitute two major assets.
Establishing the French selection must have been more complicated for Vanthourenhout than three years ago in Tokyo. At the time, the Belgian team had, in fact, five members, compared to four today. “This will make the race even more difficult to control. ” So why not rely on four strong men, all capable of playing their personal card? “Because in such an unbridled race, I am convinced that experience and a good reading of the events will constitute two major assets. But Stuyven and Benoot are perfect in this role. They are perfectly aware that Remco and Wout will be the leaders, but they will have enough talent to try their luck if the course of the debates requires it. ”
Olympic Games 2024: 14 new athletes announced in the Belgian selection
Arnaud De Lie’s Belgian championship title on Sunday in Zottegem did not change the situation. And neither did the uncertainties arising from Wout van Aert’s numerous injuries following his heavy performance in Across Flanders. “At the start of the year, I had a list of fifteen or sixteen namesrewinds the national coach. Very early on, I started discussions with Remco. Neither of them told me they absolutely wanted this or that teammate by their side. So, I made my choice after the spring classics. But without Wout’s fall, I would have already revealed them sooner. ”
Convinced that this formula is the best for trying to anticipate and react to the events that are sure to arise in an unbridled race, Vanthourenhout denies having built a selection around Wout van Aert. “It’s true that he gets along very well with Stuyven and Benoot but he didn’t impose their presence on me. They will fall flat on their stomachs without hesitation for Remco. I have no doubt about that. ” He also adds that the Olympic race, 207 kilometers long with more than 3,000 meters of elevation gain, will only be possible for a very strong person. “It will be a bit like a Flèche Wallonne, the summit of which will be the rise of the Butte de Montmartre, which could make a difference, even if the following five terminals will be very smooth.”
By setting up such a team, Vanthourenhout has the ambition to win a medal, and more if desired. But he remains on his guard. “We will not be the big favorites to win. This status should go to Mathieu van der Poel and that is not a bad thing. ”
In the event of an unpleasant surprise which would lead to one of his protégés withdrawing, the national coach keeps a list of four reserves on hand: Arnaud De Lie, Jasper Philipsen, Tim Wellens and Yves Lampaert. Making choices means giving up…
