Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert combined for Olympic glory in 2024, but their relationship wasn't always strong: "Evenepoel's action didn't suit us that day"

2024 was a great year for Belgian cycling, particularly at the Olympics where Remco Evenepoel won two golds and Wout van Aert got a bronze in the time trial. But things weren’t always so smooth.

In a revealing interview with on the Stamcafé Koers podcast , Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout opened up about the aftermath of the 2021 World Championships in Leuven, shedding light on the tensions and misunderstandings that arose within the Belgian cycling team that year. The event, remembered for Julian Alaphilippe’s second rainbow jersey triumph, also made headlines for internal discord, particularly involving Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert.

The friction began during the race itself when Evenepoel deviated from the agreed-upon strategy. "The question was asked whether that was planned, because I am responsible," Vanthourenhout explained. "But that was not planned. On the contrary. We wanted to reach the final with as many people as possible." Instead, Evenepoel broke the race open with an attack around sixty kilometers in, an aggressive move that left Van Aert and others struggling.

The decision to attack transformed the World Championship into a grueling war of attrition. "A 260-kilometre race that breaks open because of Evenepoel's action. It became a war of attrition, which didn’t suit us that day," Vanthourenhout admitted. Data analysis from Team Visma | Lease a Bike later confirmed the toll this strategy took on Van Aert, who lacked the energy reserves to challenge Julian Alaphilippe, who would ultimately claim the rainbow jersey. "Leuven was supposed to be a classic course, but a lot of guys got knocked out. Riders who weigh 75 or 80 kilograms burned so much energy that you couldn’t replenish it. One of the reasons why Alaphilippe had such a fantastic day."

Vanthourenhout acknowledged his frustration with Evenepoel’s actions but emphasised the importance of addressing such conflicts constructively. "I have always taken my responsibility and never pointed the finger at a rider. I was responsible," he said. He noted that the fallout from the event prompted a thorough evaluation that ultimately strengthened the team’s unity. "You have to evolve and look at such things with a critical eye, but that was not the only time that happened during my time as national coach."

The tension between Van Aert and Evenepoel extended beyond the race itself. Van Aert, frustrated by Evenepoel’s comments on a TV show, skipped the team dinner after the championship. Vanthourenhout reflected on the absence, saying, "Looking back on it, Wout's absence was at least as important to avoid division."

Evenepoel, for his part, attempted to address his discomfort with the team dynamic in an email sent before a post-race meeting. However, an accidental "reply-all" mishap only added to the controversy. Vanthourenhout recounted the incident: "That happened, yes. As a national coach, you have to deal with that. At that moment, you know that there is work to be done, but also where you want to go. I was aware that the group wanted to continue together, but at that moment you have to clear up the mess."