Sven Vanthourenhout was elected sports director of the year at the Vélo de Cristal gala, a trophy rewarding the best Belgian cyclist of the season and organized by the daily Het Laatste Nieuws, Tuesday in Kruisem.
Coach of the national road team, Vanthourenhout had a successful year in 2024 with Remco Evenepoel’s two gold medals in the road race and the time trial, where Wout van Aert also won the medal of bronze, from the Paris Olympic Games. Evenepoel also renewed his world title in the time trial and finished 5th in the road race.
During the European Championships organized in Limburg, Belgium won the gold medal in the road race thanks to Tim Merlier and the bronze medal in the mixed team relay.
At the beginning of September, the Belgian cycling federation announced the end of its collaboration with Vanthourenhout, in office since 2021. He won a total of 16 medals: four at the Olympic Games, six at the Worlds and six at the European Championships.
Vanthourenhout collected 730 points to beat Christoph and Philip Roodhooft, second with 520 points, and Klaas Lodewyck, 3rd with 332 points.
