Belgian couch is proud of Wout Van Aert and his team: "If you have to lose to Mathieu, that's no shame"

National coach Sven Vanthourenhout didn't have a problem with congratulating Mathieu van der Poel, who showed to be the cut above the rest on Sunday, and was also satisfied with how his team rode in Glasgow.

"The best won. Obviously." National coach Sven Vanthourenhout opened his analysis with compliments for Mathieu van der Poel. "This championship will stay with us anyway and the level of the race was extremely high. And the podium is phenomenal."

Vanthourenhout wanted to stay out of trouble with his selection when entering Glasgow. "Victor Campenaerts and Yves Lampaert were important there, Frederik Frison had already dropped. After that, Nathan Van Hooydonck, Tiesj Benoot and Jasper Stuyven did a great job. If you then come 2nd and lose to the best, then you have to be happy as a team."

Wout van Aert took silver. "I understand that for many people it is silver again and again after Mathieu, but I find it admirable how he continues to fight for that 2nd place. If you have to lose to Mathieu, that's no shame. He can still be satisfied with his performance."