"The position was never open" - failed candidate Philippe Gilbert accuses Belgian Cycling of rigged selection process for new national coach

Serge Pauwels becomes the new Belgian national coach for road cyclists, while Angelo De Clercq takes on the role of national coach for cyclo-cross riders. More changes are to follow on executive positions in Belgian cycling in next months, but that won't be a concern of Philippe Gilbert. The 42-year-old came with a late application for the role of national coach for road, but the experienced Pauwels was picked over the more famous Gilbert.

With the promotion of Pauwels, Belgian Cycling did not listen to Gilbert's open application. The former world champion reacted; therefore, he was anything but satisfied with his Instagram account. "I cherished the hope to become a national coach and to share my experience and passion with the current generation," he began his story. "The position was never open; the internal arrangements at Belgian Cycling prevailed over my application. I want to thank the many enthusiastic riders and the countless people who supported me."

Contrary to Gilbert's stir, one of the future leaders of Belgian cycling Cian Uijtdebroeks of Visma | Lease a Bike looks forward to working with Pauwels, whom he already knows well. "The best thing we have already done together is the Tour de l'Avenir. That was a project we addressed together long beforehand," the young climber looks back on his 2022 overall victory. "Serge is someone who makes a plan for that and figures everything out calmly. During the race, he also keeps his feet on the ground. He was a real top coach to have with me, which will be no different for other riders."

Belgian Cycling is not finished with restructuralization because more spots remain to fill. A new Director of Topsport will be appointed, and the National Mountain Bike Coach role still needs to be filled. Changes will also follow on the track, as Kenny De Ketele will step down as national coach at the end of December.