“There was a time when riders sat with their fingers crossed”: Patrick Lefevere blasts riders who decline World Championship selection

Patrick Lefevere has never been one to hide his opinion, and the former Soudal Quick-Step boss has once again taken aim at a development he finds difficult to understand. With the World Championships approaching in Canada, Lefevere has questioned why several Belgian riders are choosing not to take part despite being offered the opportunity to represent their country.

“There was a time when riders sat next to their phones with their fingers crossed on the day of the World Championship selection, hoping to see the national coach’s name appear on their screen,” Lefevere said in words to Het Nieuwsblad.

Lefevere pointed to certain riders who have all declined their place in the Belgian selection. “Today it clearly works differently. I read that Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, Victor Campenaerts, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Ilan Van Wilder are declining the honour. Honestly: I don’t understand at all why."

The former Soudal Quick-Step boss also suggested that the presence of Tadej Pogacar within UAE Team Emirates could have played a role in some riders' decisions.

If riders were reluctant to race against their usual team leader at the World Championships, Lefevere believes Pogacar's expected absence after a hard crash during stage 8 of the 2026 Vuelta a España should change that calculation. “Then, as a UAE rider, surely you can reconsider and make yourself available after all?" he asked.

However, Lefevere acknowledges that the situation is not exclusively a Belgian problem. The Dutch selection has also attracted attention, with Thymen Arensman, Dylan van Baarle and Wilco Kelderman among the notable absentees from the team that will race alongside Mathieu van der Poel.

“When I look at the support around Mathieu van der Poel, I don't think it is the first eight names on Dutch national coach Koos Moerenhout’s list either,” Lefevere wrote.

Lefevere does not believe the absences necessarily weaken either Belgium or the Netherlands to a decisive degree. Instead, he argues that national teams are now constructed differently, with coaches selecting riders according to their roles within a race plan.

“I am not too worried about Belgium’s collective strength despite the withdrawals. Nor about that of the Netherlands. I don’t understand why riders voluntarily let a World Championship pass them by, but I do understand that national coaches now select in a different way. World Championship teams are built around a tactical plan, with specific riders for specific roles. The starting point is no longer: ‘Let’s put the nine best riders together.’”

There are also practical considerations behind some of the withdrawals. With the World Championships taking place in Canada, travelling to North America represents a significant logistical and financial commitment for national federations and riders.

Lefevere points out that those financial realities can influence selection decisions as well. “For a distant World Championship, the federation’s treasurer also has a say in the selection. The time trial riders will have to come from the road selection.” he noted.

Lefevere also believes Belgium should be prepared for a race in which the breakaway could become a major factor.

“Without Tadej Pogacar, Belgium will carry a lot of weight in Montréal. It won’t come from the Mexican team around Isaac Del Toro either. I would always bring enough rouleurs as national coach. Remember Geelong 2010, where the early breakaway almost took a lap’s lead on the local circuit. In that case, the entire peloton of favourites would have been lapped and taken out of the race.”