What’s next for Belgium’s former national coach? “I’m keeping those names to myself”

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?

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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.

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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.