The end of an era. Sven Vanthourenhout has completed his last road trip as Belgian national coach. It was not possible to say goodbye with a world title, because one Tadej Pogacar decided to perform a particularly punishing song. “However, I did not think the race had been completed when he left,” the national coach told his story.
With an impressive record of achievements and a medal count of 99, Sven Vanthourenhout’s impressive national coaching career is over.
The ultimate dream was of course to win medal 100 today. “But it turned out to be a really grueling match,” the national coach concluded afterwards.
“And we had not really taken into account an attack by Tadej Pogacar more than 100 kilometers from the finish in advance. But during the race I started to fear it.”
“Pogacar was already almost isolated in the peloton and so he decided to make the crossing. You also felt that jump coming. But if you close by 3 minutes in one lap, that is a very punishing number.”
“I didn’t think that the race had already been completed at that time. And that is evident at the end. It is not that Tadej pulled away by 2 or 3 minutes, but it was decisive.”
It was still more than 100 kilometers, so it was not abnormal that Remco did not respond to Pogacar.
Sven Vanthourenhout
According to Vanthourenhout, should Remco Evenepoel have immediately slipped along with Pogacar? “That would have been the best. But it was still more than 100 kilometers, so it was not unusual that he did not respond,” the national coach said in the written press.
“After that we had to eat everyone. We had no choice, because it was really quality that was at the front. Although I had counted on support from countries such as the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy.”
“In the end we had to hope that we could keep the gap the same ourselves and that Remco could make the jump with a few other top players.”
“But I passed him just over a lap from the end and coming next to him was enough to know what time it was. The race was finished.”
“Everyone who was still there at that moment was at the limit. Mathieu van der Poel also no longer looked too fresh. And it was the same for the others.”
Nevertheless, Vanthourenhout was satisfied with the race afterwards. “Remco still comes 5th and still plays a significant role. A very good Remco would have competed for the title, but he can look back on 2024 with pride.”
“And I also look back with a lot of gratitude and pride. It was a fantastic period and we had quality years. In any case, it is something not to forget,” says the national coach.
2024 World Championships results
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