“A ridiculous schedule” – Dutch national coach warns of the tough back-to-back Worlds and European Championships

The cycling calendar offers little respite for the riders, as the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda have just concluded and the European Time Trial Championships in southern France are already looming this Wednesday. For riders and teams combining both events, the transition is grueling.

Speaking with Wielerflits ahead of the men’s road race in Rwanda last week, Dutch national coach Koos Moerenhout admitted his attention was split between the World Championships and the upcoming European Time Trials.

“It’s very strange,” he said. “I’ve been preparing for the time trial riders this week. If everything arrives on time and without delay, I’ll only have one day there before the time trial. And a time trial day is always challenging in terms of organization and personnel.”

He explained the complexity of coordinating multiple races simultaneously: “Not only do the elite men ride there, the junior men start at a different location. The whole puzzle has to be solved. We get support from the KNWU (Royal Dutch Cycling Union), but you’re also focused on your own riders".

"I’ve already done a reconnaissance, so I know what to expect and how it looks," he continued. "Ideally, you’d arrive a day or two earlier to prepare with the riders. For the time trial, this is a very short timeframe and it requires advance planning. It’s very strange, because you’re still focused on the World Championships road race.”

Moerenhout admitted his frustration with the schedule, although he has not officially shared his dislike for this planning with the UCI or UEC (European Cycling Federation). "I don’t have the illusion that my advice would change anything. That is really difficult, I admit. A ridiculous schedule, of course. We have to deal with it. I hope next year it’s more spread out. We prepare well, but it’s very tight.”

He also highlighted potential logistical issues that might affect the teams. “Our flight goes to Brussels, and we won’t be the only country flying there. It’s always tense whether everything arrives on time and whether there are delays with luggage. I especially hope we don’t run into a flight delay, because then we’ll have a problem. It could easily happen that the national coach doesn’t even make the start of the time trial.”

No Dutch riders from the World Championships squad will compete in the European time trials, which will instead feature two experienced riders such as Daan Hoole and Dylan van Baarle. “Menno Huising doubles up, but he doesn’t ride the time trial, so he has a few days of rest. But especially for the time trial, it’s tight. Normally it should work out, but you’re still focused on the main event at the Worlds while also dealing with the time trial. It’s a strange feeling.”