"They have to move on, in a mature and sporty way" - Belgian coach demands truce between Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout ahead of World Championships

After the fiery war of wards between Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout following an incident at the Belgian cyclocross championships, the national coach Sven Vanthourenhout has spoken out to try and cool the tension.

“Anyone who knows me knows that when we arrive at the World Championship hotel on Thursday, I don't want tensions and questionable faces," he tells Het Laatste Nieuws. "I want everyone to be ready to ride the World Cup on Sunday. And there will not be three days before that in which one has to watch his words for the other. It is now time for both riders to agree with the situation as it is. They have to move on, in a mature and sporty way.”

Sven Vanthourenhout reveals he had hoped that the drama would have naturally disappeared, however that now seems not to have been the case. “I will not just let this pass,” he says. "I'm going to listen to both their stories, how they really look back on that. Then the stocking is finished. I don't expect them to become close friends."

Meanwhile, for the Belgium team at the World Championship, Wout van Aert will be the undisputed leader. “He will soon join the table. He is in the focus to become world champion. He can miss cocky behavior at the table like a toothache."