The new Belgian national coach, Sven Vanthourenhout, has expressed his excitement about working with two of the country’s most prominent cycling stars, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. In a recent interview, Vanthourenhout emphasized that his relationship with both riders is “good,” and he looks forward to collaborating with them as they aim to bring Belgium back to the top in international cycling.
Vanthourenhout, who took over as national coach after the departure of former coach Kevin De Weert, has already established a solid rapport with Van Aert and Evenepoel. Despite their differing racing styles—Van Aert being a versatile all-rounder and Evenepoel known for his exceptional time trial and stage-race abilities—Vanthourenhout believes their cooperation can yield great results. “My relationship with them is good, and that’s key to working well together,” he explained, highlighting the importance of mutual trust and open communication.
Vanthourenhout’s coaching philosophy is centered on creating a cohesive team environment where each rider feels valued, while also recognizing their individual strengths. With Van Aert’s dominance in classics and even the Tour de France, alongside Evenepoel’s potential to shine in grand tours, the combination of these two riders provides Belgium with a potent mix of talent.
The national coach’s role is critical in coordinating these top talents for events like the World Championships and the Olympics, where Belgium has high expectations. Vanthourenhout understands the pressure but is confident in his ability to manage the riders’ ambitions. “It’s a privilege to coach these guys, and I want to help them achieve their goals while keeping the team spirit strong,” he said.
Both Van Aert and Evenepoel have already voiced their confidence in Vanthourenhout’s leadership. The new coach is eager to build on this positive dynamic and ensure that Belgium remains competitive at the highest levels of professional cycling, both in one-day races and grand tours.
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