UAE's Matxin responds to Wellens World Championships storm - "Perhaps he simply does not want to spend the first 100 kilometres riding on the front"
Cycling
Tim Wellens caused quite the storm when he revealed that he rejected a call-up to ride the World Championships with Belgium, pointing to team goals with UAE Team Emirates - XRG as the reason. Over two weeks after the road race, the saga continues as the veteran has faced heavy criticism and now his UAE sports director Joxean Matxin has offered his insight.
A loyal Tadej Pogacar domestique, Tim Wellens was coming into form after a rest period following a successful Tour de France campaign when it emerged that he would not be part of the Belgian line-up aimed towards Remco Evenepoel's rainbow jersey bid.
Wellens turning down the call-up was met by criticism led by Philippe Gilbert, who blasted the decision - leading to Wellens hitting back at the words and suggesting that he would approach him privately.
Evenepoel's bid proved unsuccessful in the end, but reaction revolved around Wellens' claim that he was focusing on team goals during the period. He rode the CRO Race that concluded on the day of the Montreal showpiece, finishing third overall.
In the aftermath, his Italian classics featured Giro dell'Emilia, Coppa Bernocchi, Tre Valli Varesine and Giro del Veneto. The only one he finished of those was in Bernocchi when he finished in 49th place. He finishes his season with the Veneto Classic on Sunday.
Tim Wellens won the 2026 Tour of Britain.
Matxin on UAE and national team selections
Matxin has signalled that when it comes to riders and national teams, UAE don't get involved and don't deny riders permission to represent their nations.
"For me, the most difficult period of the year when it comes to planning is when the European and World Championships take place, because we have at least 25 riders who could be selected for their national teams," Matxin told Bici.pro.
"But selection is entirely up to the national federations. We do not interfere, and we would not be allowed to anyway."
And in Wellens' case, Matxin insisted that UAE didn't interfere as the manager reiterated the team's commitment to supporting federations during major championships - pointing to their loaning of the team bus to nations such as Slovenia at the European Championships.
"Whenever Pauwels, the Belgian national coach, calls me to ask about a rider's availability, I give him complete freedom. It is exactly the same with the Italians and the French.
"We often provide our team bus to the Slovenian national team, the Colombian national team or anyone else who asks. We supply our riders with everything they need, from bikes to energy gels and other equipment."
Matxin didn't speak for Wellens when it comes to his decision not to ride the World Championships, but did offer examples of reasons why riders would potentially not be interested in competing at a major championships, such as their role within the team and the often challenging course designs.
"Perhaps he simply does not want to spend the first hundred kilometres riding on the front"
"I think you need to ask him that because I do not know what was discussed between him and the Belgian national coach. Often, it also depends on how the rider feels, perhaps in relation to the course.
"Sometimes a rider assesses the course and decides whether it suits him. Or he might consider whether he is happy with the role he has been offered. Perhaps he simply does not want to spend the first hundred kilometres riding on the front."
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Matxin cooled suggestions that Wellens was unwilling to ride in support of Remco Evenepoel, who is seen as a rival to both the team and their leaders Tadej Pogacar and Isaac del Toro at major races.
He insisted: "No, not at all. Remco is a rival, but he is also a friend. Sometimes, when riders realise they are not going to play an important role in the team's tactical plans, they prefer not to race."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- "c'mon Jonas!"wrsty05-11-2026
- I see I missed a lot during my boycott.Jumpyjohn05-11-2026
- What kind of sauce is on that rice? Ketchup?Kbd05-11-2026
- 18 broken bones. 78 crashes, among 30 rider per year is a lot. so for a rider over 15 seasons, they will break their bones 7-8 times and crash 38 times.abstractengineer04-11-2026
- i dont think he is ready ot win against the top 2 or the 2nd rung of evenepoel, del toro , Almeida. In the third week in the TDF he was very very defensive, no attacks. i think he was exhausted. right now he needs time not the brutal Giro or the intense TDF.abstractengineer04-11-2026
- Rota is an excellent rider to get in a break with because he always does his turnchapmanesque04-11-2026
- That 3000 extra that the Tour de France is built up in the flat stages
Rafionain-Glas04-11-2026 - maybe this is something else they can protest in the streets of France.mij04-11-2026
- his Roubaix win was amazing. not to take anything away from him - arguably one of MVDP's wins was at the expense of a WVA flat - but so many things need to line up to get one of these. He had a perfect race with fewer bike issues on an attritional course. And crazy strong as usual. Glad he got this done.mij04-11-2026
- Orts was a super smart signing with the new rules regarding cross and UCI pointsmij04-11-2026
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