"Never a domestique; he was always the team leader" - Is Philippe Gilbert's criticism of Tim Wellens justified?
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 13:04
A massive controversy has brewed on the Belgian world championships team. However, this is one that does not actually include any of the riders that are taking part, but instead one featuring Tim Wellens' absence from them and the entire discourse surrounding it.
The UAE Team Emirates - XRG rider is not taking part in the race, where Remco Evenepoel and Wout Van Aert will take part in as favourites for the rainbow jersey. After the Tour, Wellens lacked the form and had negative feedback on his feelings towards the worlds.
He then returned to competition and was able to win the Tour of Britain. Nevertheless, he refused a spot even after Remco Evenepoel spoke to him. Wellens has confirmed that he will be racing for UAE in those days, and that the trade team's priorities can be prioritized.
Former teammate and world champion Philippe Gilbert was quite harsh when commenting on the matter, claiming that Wellens is "completely out of touch with reality" - whilst claiming that he would always take part in the race, even if against trade teammates.
Philippe Gilbert criticized Tim Wellens' absence from the World Championships
Is Tim Wellens in the same situation as Philippe Gilbert?
The Belgian sphere has erupted over its former world champion's comments. José de Cauwer, a commentator for Sporza, singles out a key difference between the two riders.
“I find it gratuitous of Gilbert to claim that he was a patriot. The fact is: Philippe was never a domestique; he was always the team leader. That makes it easy," De Cauwer said on the Sporza Daily podcast.
Wellens reacted to these statements with surprise. "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". But has Wellens done something inherently wrong?
Belgium or UAE for Tim Wellens?
“No, Wellens is a patriot too, both for his country and for UAE," de Cauwer argues. "This is a different story. He is one of Tadej Pogacar’s close friends, and they have done so much for each other. You can’t ask for something like that in a situation like this. Sorry, it’s simply not on".
If Pogacar's injuries were to not have happened, Wellens would be helping what was at the time considered to be Pogacar's main rival for the worlds - Remco Evenepoel - if he took part in the race. De Cauwer argues that this might have played a role after the Tour when it came to making the decision.
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But the Belgian commentator believes Wellens did then try to get himself on the lineup for the road race, unsuccessfully:
“Wellens won the Tour of Britain. I know there was an attempt by Wellens himself after all, a sort of public pitch. But the selection was made the very next day, and all the spots were already filled.”
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- No doubt Remco's father will e be preparing excuse if he loses the TT.Looking forward to worlds but not the constant excuses and whinging from Remco. You never get excuses or moaning from Pog when he is beaten.paultryan200218-09-2026
- Sorry Pops, that's delusional parental bias. Your boy was 3rd. Period. Woulda, coulda, shoulda doesn't make the wish & dream true prognasticating the future. Humility & respect are appreciated traits. If Remco's occasional heated actions are on display, it's maybe fair to connect some dots back to parental figure as an influence. Benefits of doubt would give hope Pops comments are taken out of context & click baited all of us.aswanson18-09-2026
- That's true and he'd be feeling confident considering his Tour podium.awp18-09-2026
- I'd like Del Toro to go back. THAT'S some unfinished business.wrsty18-09-2026
- It was a high likelihood he would have won the 2023 Giro had he not come down with covid. By the time he had withdrawn he had won two stages and was leading on gc by almost a minute. I doubt Tadej races the Giro next year. If Tadej and Jonas don't race it and Remco can keep the rubber side down he has another good chance to win the race.awp18-09-2026
- 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
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