"I am going to contact Phil and give him a piece of my mind" - Tim Wellens shocked by Gilbert criticism of turning down Belgium World Championships role
CyclingThursday, 17 September 2026 at 16:00
Tim Wellens has admitted that he was shocked by Philippe Gilbert's scathing criticism of his decision to turn down a call-up for the World Championships with Belgium, opting to focus on goals with UAE Team Emirates- XRG for the remainder of the season.
The veteran all-rounder, who has featured prominently for Belgium throughout his career, is a notable absentee despite showing strong form at the Tour of Britain and riding the Canadian one-day classics last weekend.
He explained his decision after news emerged that he had opted not to represent Belgium, citing that the decision was made in early August, when he was physically in a bad position, which forced him to withdraw from the Renewi Tour.
Gilbert launches scathing criticism of Tim Wellens over Belgium decision
However, former rider and Belgian Gilbert launched some scathing criticism of the Belgian, claiming that he was out of touch with reality and that a rider's loyalty should favour their national team over their trade team.
"I respect Tim, but I completely disagree with his reasoning and his position. I feel he is completely out of touch with reality," Gilbert previously said.
He added: "Employers, he has had several, and he will maybe have others before the end of his career, but your nation remains the same.
"So I think you have to be loyal to your nation, and here he is not, because his arguments don’t hold up."
Tim Wellens and Philippe Gilbert
Wellens responds to comments as he vows to contact Gilbert
Wellens has since responded to the comments, claiming that he will contact him personally to get to the bottom of the comments and noted that he felt it to be a negative approach to the subject.
"I was quite shocked by Phil's statement. I am going to send him a message to find out exactly why he used those words," Wellens told Het Nieuwsblad.
"Well, apparently an analyst gets more attention when he presents a negative narrative. In that regard, I am more of a fan of Tom Boonen's approach, who often takes a more positive stance."
He added: "But once again, I am going to contact Phil and give him a piece of my mind."
Belgium will be led by Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert in Montreal, kicking off first with Evenepoel favourite to win the time trial on Sunday before the following weekend offers a potential two-pronged appraoch to the big race.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- UAE asked Wellens to do the late races before Pog crashed. For sure they would like Del Toro to win, but they did not suddenly ask Wellens not to ride the Worlds when Pog withdrew.Hills3317-09-2026
- It is obvious. UAE want del Toro to win so they can have the Rainbow Bands in the team. Wellens would assist Remco in denying del Toro, potentially being a satellite rider (and a long range attack is what is best for Remco). UAE don't want that, so are sending Wellens to the CRO race so he can't help Evenepoel
Rafionain-Glas17-09-2026 - So Belgian and therefore so ironic. Start by getting along with or accepting each other and maybe representing your country won’t be such dilemma. Funny how when we hear about this kind of thing it’s always from the same countries, Belgium for the men and The Netherlands for the women, unless of course you count Tadej’s refusal.Mistermaumau17-09-2026
- What was funny was that Red Bull's official news website didn't state how long the contract is forRafionain-Glas17-09-2026
- Michael Goolaerts (RIP), Briastre: in 2018 he suffered a cardiac arrest and crashed.,which was sadly fatal. Johan Museeuw, Arenberg: suffered a serious fractured kneecap in 1998 which threatened his career Davide Ballerini: Fractures of the hamate and trapezium bones in the left wrist in 2025. Ayco Bastiaens also sustained a left collarbone fractured, while Stefan Küng sustained facial and knee injuries and Silvan Dillier fractured his right hand, still completing his work for van der Poel.Rafionain-Glas17-09-2026
- luke and tom on Race Communique podcast talk about the race and the way it was ridden and how it frazzled the leaders more than normal-- super interesting segment I thoughtjad2917-09-2026
- I'm surpised we havn't seen any articles about that outburst, it was one of his best! He was screaming so loud you could hear it through the footage, full on psycho mode.jad2917-09-2026
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- Since these insiders thought doping was the right thing to do, maybe outsiders wouldn't be such a bad thing. I still scratch my head over Hincapie running a pro team. He used just as much as Armstrong.
ScottG17-09-2026 - He won't, neither Seixas nor Del Toro are better climbers or time trialists than him, he is about to be at his physical peak in age.awp17-09-2026
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