Sven Vanthourenhout doesn't want to put too much pressure at Remco Evenepoel: "Be gentle with him if he does not become world champion"

Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout confirmed his selection for the World Championships in Zurich. Without Wout van Aert who called it after his crash at Vuelta, it's clear that all the attention will be at the double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel. However the coach doesn't want to put too much pressure on the 24-year-old rider.

"The incident with Van Aert changed something," Vanthourenhout explains at a press conference. "Even though Zurich was perhaps on the limit for him on paper. But with the Wout we saw at the Vuelta, he was ready to ride a good World Championship. But anyway: he is not there. In principle, that has not changed Evenepoel's leadership. But now you have a complete team in support. Although Van Gils can act as a shadow leader."

Evenepoel will not be accompanied by any Soudal - Quick-Step teammate: "In all the years that I have been national coach, we have always looked at such a situation with an open mind. It was about the strongest possible team. Which team they come from does not really matter. For me, it is important that everyone knows their role.”

It has been a lot for Evenepoel this season, Vanthourenhout also acknowledges. The two-time Olympic champion is fully rebuilding. "We hope that Remco will be okay, but we cannot ignore the fact that it has been a very difficult, but also special year for him. His focus is completely on the World Championship. He definitely wants to make something of it. We all know him: when he says that, he has that ambition. But I certainly also want to call on people to be lenient with him if he does not become world champion."