"If you criticize anonymously, that's a bit cowardly" - Tiesj Benoot hits back after harsh words from The Secret Pro

After some intense criticism from The Secret Pro, Tiesj Benoot has now responded with some criticism of his own. And whilst he doesn't outright name the rider, he does have an idea who it could be.

The initial comments from the unknown voice in the peloton, that sparked this debate came from April 2022. "I'm a bit pissed off with that team. Some of the riders are getting a bit arrogant. Tiesj is someone I've normally never had a problem with, but he's been a bit of an ass these past few weeks. He tells us to ride when it's not necessary and we're already on our knees," The Secret Pro lamented. "He was really whining and was being shitty to some riders. Then he would shout that we had to work and that he would drop us if we didn't. Fair enough, let me go, you're a big strong guy and I can't compete with that. He lacks confidence and that is reflected in the way he deals with people."

Now, a year and a half later, Benoot has finally hit back via the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast by Laurens ten Dam and Stefan Bolt. "I don't know who it is. I have my idea about it, but I'm not going to mention the name because I'm not sure. And that is not in my style to criticize it. If you criticize anonymously, that's a bit cowardly. I can handle criticism well, but I say it man-to-man," the Belgian responds.

The actual race in question is obvious to the Jumbo-Visma man however. "Last year's E3 Saxo Classic," he answers. "I was in second position on the Traaiberg and there were seven or eight men away, including some leaders. It was my first race since my crash in Strade Bianche and I didn't have Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico in my legs, so it was up to me to keep the pressure on. It was also agreed that I would not continue riding with other leaders in the wheel."

"It turned around well, until we met the leading group. I noticed that things were being skipped a few times, so it was up to me to open things up again," Benoot recalls. "I started at Berg ter Steene, after which I told the boys at the Boigneberg that I would attack again if they did not cooperate. Is that arrogant? Of course, it can come across that way. Maybe I shouldn't say that at that moment, but it was the truth."