Sven Vanthourenhout, 43, a former Belgian cyclist who earned
two bronze medals in the cyclocross World Championships during his career, has
recently left his role as Belgium’s national coach following last month’s World
Championships in Zurich. Now, the cycling world is questioning which team he
will join next.
Vanthourenhout had been a prominent figure as national
coach, guiding Belgian riders through their development and success, but with
his departure, the big question looms: where will his talents be directed next?
In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws on Tuesday
after the Crystal Bicycle gala, Vanthourenhout shared some insights into his
current job search, though he remained tight-lipped about specific details.
"I have had good and structured conversations over the
past two weeks, which are now coming to an end, which means that we are in a
phase in which a correct proposal must be made to me. I will then weigh those
proposals against each other and determine which path I will take," he
said.
When asked about which teams or roles he might consider,
Vanthourenhout declined to name any specifics. "But I'm keeping those
names to myself. I've had very fair talks with the three parties and because
it's a management position, those were serious job interviews. So I want this
whole process to go correctly," he explained, emphasizing the
professionalism and seriousness of his job hunt.
Ultimately, Vanthourenhout emphasized that his decision
would not only be about logistics or contracts, but also about intuition.
“Looking for a new job like that is also partly a question of feeling. I am
known for working a lot from my gut feeling and I want to go to a team where I
feel at home.”
As Vanthourenhout nears the final stages of his
decision-making process, the cycling world will be eager to learn where this
experienced and highly respected coach will take his next step.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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