You are right, though as mentioned above a lot of them feature in Brabantse Pijl, Druivenkoers and Poeske Scherens, so most contenders will be somewhat familiar with them. The climbs are otherwise fairly similar to the ones in RVV - in the current route they are generally less 'cobbled' (though there isn't a lack of cobbled stuff in the area).
- May 5, 2010
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Isn't the dirt a rather important part of CX? I assume it's also without the stairs... and jumb-over-thingies.
- Jun 24, 2013
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Didn't found any other thread yet about the Worlds.
The Belgian team will be announced tomorrow so today last day for many riders to prove themselves.
Seems like 5 guys are certain already:
Van Aert - leader so makes sense.
Stuyven - Won a monument this year and as is known grown up a couple 100 metres from the finish line.
Declerq - to work at the front of the peloton the first 150 kms. Makes sense.
Lampaert - makes sense for the TT but not at all for the road race. I do not understand this at all.
Benoot - apparently because Vanthourenhout trusts him completely and sees him as a sort of DS in the race. Not like his tactical nous has helped him win a lot in the past.
That leaves for three more spots many big names:
Van Avermaet - has seemingly given up on participating. Such a shame. He was still very good in the spring season
Evenepoel - has shown he is very good against PCT level but not at all at WT level. Not good at the olympics. The course is very technical so i would not take him. He has also already said that Lampaert will do the TT over him so if he wants to do the TT he needs to win the Euros to get a start ticket.
Gilbert - obviously on the way down. Last 3 years he knows himself only races he can still be competitive in are races over 250kms.
Van Hooydonck - no idea why he gets a chance. Only reason is because he's a teammate of Van Aert but well his team obviously sucks when they need to help him.
Naesen - Knows he has not shown enough in the later part of the season but I seem to remember him being very strong in E3. I expect fireworks from him today.
Campenaerts - his reconversion has gone surprisingly well with a Giro stage win and now a very impressive Benelux tour. There are doubts about his skills in a 250km race.
De Bondt - former Belgian champion and wants to race but unfortunately not shown enough and not good enough.
Merlier - fastest (Belgian) sprinter. Not a classics rider. Maybe he gets selected to hinder Van Der Poel in the first corner
Vermeersch - Very good classics season. Has seemingly always been on the fringe of Vanthourenhout's selections in CX and has always just made the team (just like Merlier)
Teuns - a farce that he was not at the olympics. Was obviously very good at the Tour but has shown litte since. Likely to get selected as make up for not being at the Olympics
Wellens - Decent season but missing those 2 or 3 impressive victories he's always good for.
Hermans - his last couple months have been about just as impressive as Evenpoels but a lot less mediatised. Cannot even get selected for big races in his own team so doubt they will take him.
Devenyns - does not want to ride because he does not want to work against Alaphilippe. No Andy Schleck to convince him to do otherwise
Philipsen - topsprinter but not as good as Merlier or Van Aert and no classics results so far.
Vanmarcke - hopes to be selected but did not show enough in the Vuelta after being involved in a lot of crashes.
Theuns - not good enough.
Van der Sande - consistently decent. Future teammate of Van Aert. Would not surprise me if he gets selected.
Rickaert - good leadout with decent results for himself in one day races but questions about the distance.
I would take Van Aert, Stuyven, Declerq, Naesen, Vermeersch, Wellens, Teuns and Vanmarcke.
The Belgian team will be announced tomorrow so today last day for many riders to prove themselves.
Seems like 5 guys are certain already:
Van Aert - leader so makes sense.
Stuyven - Won a monument this year and as is known grown up a couple 100 metres from the finish line.
Declerq - to work at the front of the peloton the first 150 kms. Makes sense.
Lampaert - makes sense for the TT but not at all for the road race. I do not understand this at all.
Benoot - apparently because Vanthourenhout trusts him completely and sees him as a sort of DS in the race. Not like his tactical nous has helped him win a lot in the past.
That leaves for three more spots many big names:
Van Avermaet - has seemingly given up on participating. Such a shame. He was still very good in the spring season
Evenepoel - has shown he is very good against PCT level but not at all at WT level. Not good at the olympics. The course is very technical so i would not take him. He has also already said that Lampaert will do the TT over him so if he wants to do the TT he needs to win the Euros to get a start ticket.
Gilbert - obviously on the way down. Last 3 years he knows himself only races he can still be competitive in are races over 250kms.
Van Hooydonck - no idea why he gets a chance. Only reason is because he's a teammate of Van Aert but well his team obviously sucks when they need to help him.
Naesen - Knows he has not shown enough in the later part of the season but I seem to remember him being very strong in E3. I expect fireworks from him today.
Campenaerts - his reconversion has gone surprisingly well with a Giro stage win and now a very impressive Benelux tour. There are doubts about his skills in a 250km race.
De Bondt - former Belgian champion and wants to race but unfortunately not shown enough and not good enough.
Merlier - fastest (Belgian) sprinter. Not a classics rider. Maybe he gets selected to hinder Van Der Poel in the first corner
Vermeersch - Very good classics season. Has seemingly always been on the fringe of Vanthourenhout's selections in CX and has always just made the team (just like Merlier)
Teuns - a farce that he was not at the olympics. Was obviously very good at the Tour but has shown litte since. Likely to get selected as make up for not being at the Olympics
Wellens - Decent season but missing those 2 or 3 impressive victories he's always good for.
Hermans - his last couple months have been about just as impressive as Evenpoels but a lot less mediatised. Cannot even get selected for big races in his own team so doubt they will take him.
Devenyns - does not want to ride because he does not want to work against Alaphilippe. No Andy Schleck to convince him to do otherwise
Philipsen - topsprinter but not as good as Merlier or Van Aert and no classics results so far.
Vanmarcke - hopes to be selected but did not show enough in the Vuelta after being involved in a lot of crashes.
Theuns - not good enough.
Van der Sande - consistently decent. Future teammate of Van Aert. Would not surprise me if he gets selected.
Rickaert - good leadout with decent results for himself in one day races but questions about the distance.
I would take Van Aert, Stuyven, Declerq, Naesen, Vermeersch, Wellens, Teuns and Vanmarcke.
- Nov 6, 2020
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- Nov 23, 2020
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Remco is def not a no brainer at the moment. He is out now with stomach problems so is not even sure he can participate in the european championships….
Plus the course is very technical, long, and he has not yet proven himself against these toplevel riders.
Wout Van Aert has declared he will be sole leader. That is the only no brainer in the belgian team.
Taking Remco just to have him try his Remco attack move and likely failing on it as in the olympics, would take a spot away from someone who would work for Wout.
- Jan 4, 2020
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If Remco's fit there can't be a question you take him over everyone but van Aert, Stuyven and Declerq. His long term attack might come handy, he just needs to do it at the right time. Otherwise he can pull a group if necessary. You say he has not proven himself against these top level riders, but that's a bit nonsensical; you can't say Gilbert is a better choice at this point...
I also think Evenepoel doesn't have a problem with a long course. Technical - okay, just don't let him ride close to van Aert in tight spots.
- Jun 24, 2013
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Selection:
RR:
Tiesj BENOOT – Victor CAMPENAERTS – Tim DECLERCQ – Remco EVENEPOEL – Yves LAMPAERT – Jasper STUYVEN – Dylan TEUNS – Wout VAN AERT
TT:
Remco EVENEPOEL – Wout VAN AERT
Wellens will be dissapointed. He was convinced yesterday he did enough to get selected.
The TT selection is also strange given what was said earlier..
RR:
Tiesj BENOOT – Victor CAMPENAERTS – Tim DECLERCQ – Remco EVENEPOEL – Yves LAMPAERT – Jasper STUYVEN – Dylan TEUNS – Wout VAN AERT
TT:
Remco EVENEPOEL – Wout VAN AERT
Wellens will be dissapointed. He was convinced yesterday he did enough to get selected.
The TT selection is also strange given what was said earlier..
- Sep 6, 2021
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Obviously, the biggest favourites here are WvA, MvdP and JA. Although, based on what I saw on the Benelux Tour, I´d definitely add Colbrelli and Mohoric to my basket of favourites. Currently, both of them have turned on their beast mode. Asgreen had his ups and downs, and didn´t impress me much. However, I can´t write him off either. He should be there fighting until the last km. And lastly, Sagan did quite well on the Benelux Tour, but there´s still room for improvement. It can be said that he´s slowly getting into it, but I believe his best shot will be Paris-Roubaix, where he should be in optimal shape.
- Apr 15, 2014
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Mathieu van der Poel - will he even ride? His back problems seem to be fairly long-lasting, and he has not raced for ages. His last road race was July 3rd. I don't think you can come into a World race with no race rhythm, even if you're one of the biggest talents in cycling.
Bonimenier
BANNED
- Apr 1, 2019
- 4,291
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Evenepoel repeated quite some times that he thought Lampaert was the better choice for the TT. I wouldn't be surprised if Lampaert did the exact same but in private with Vanthourenhout. He got his national TT jersey in his hometown. Probably all he really cared for. Now fully focused on PR.
I believe Alpecin will give a statement today about his schedule for the rest of the year, so we won't have to wait too long to get the answer.
- Sep 2, 2011
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Seems like the perfect recipe for another Belgian fail at the WC to me, but ok.
Their team selection makes a lot of sense, although you can make a case for Wellens over Benoot or Teuns.
Campenaerts has earned his selection and will be handy early in the race. Declercq is the best domestique around for cobble classics. Stuyven is a proven winner in Monuments and Lampaert a tactically acute rider who can play a role in the final.
- May 19, 2012
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can't even train properly since OG... no point to show up on the start imho. this is WvA's to lose.
- Jun 7, 2011
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Four of the five riders that needed to be selected, got selected. Can't understand Van Hooydonck not being in the squad. An actual teammate of Van Aert, in decent shape in the Vuelta and who was brought to TJV specifically to assist Van Aert. He's also 1m93 and rides Cervélo. In case something happens, he would be the perfect fit to give his bike to WVA. It would only have given Van Aert more peace of mind, knowing there was one guy who would cough up his lungs for him. Hopefully there won't be a situation where Van Aert gets screwed over by sponsorteam-tactics in the final.
No doubts about Campenaerts, Teuns and Benoot working for Van Aert, but they may not be there when it matters. I'm not implying the DQT boys will ride for Asgreen or Alaphilippe, but i can imagine there being a situation where there is a moment of hesitation or a lack of total commitment when it concerns a same-team rival. The national coach claims to have talked to Lefevere to avoid any misunderstandings.
No doubts about Campenaerts, Teuns and Benoot working for Van Aert, but they may not be there when it matters. I'm not implying the DQT boys will ride for Asgreen or Alaphilippe, but i can imagine there being a situation where there is a moment of hesitation or a lack of total commitment when it concerns a same-team rival. The national coach claims to have talked to Lefevere to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Nov 16, 2013
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Is the plan really to go for Van Aert and Van Aert only? That seems a bit destructive, and even if he has appeared to be a superhuman for a long time, he can be blocked in in a sprint or other things could happen.
Regarding Van Hooydonck, I know he played a blinder in GW but should that really be enough (coupled with his riding for the same team as Van Aert)? I would have thought that to be quite a flimsy selection, considering the general star-studdedness of the country.
- Jul 16, 2015
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I know he's found form at the right moment before & I know that happened just a few months ago (Flèche Wallonne)... but throw me in the Julian Alaphilippe doubters circle (if there is one). Judging on what he has shown this season & what he's showing right now (his sprints for example seem "off"), I just don't see him as a favorite. There's just something not quite right with him at the moment & I don't see that changing in time.
And Wout van Aert has too much of a favorite tag on him (again). And I bet Evenepoel goes for glory himself (why wouldn't he?).
No, I'd say this one is going to be like the Olympics road race (with a Carapaz style unexpected result), i.e. any top rider on the start list who isn't viewed as a super hot favorite will have his chances.
- Jun 7, 2011
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You could 've considered Van Hooydonck to be a "flimsy selection" based on his GW, his Vuelta form and being a teammate of Van Aert with the same bike/size... but exactly what has Benoot done to be selected ahead of Wellens or Van der Sande, for instance?
Yes, Van Aert is the clear leader, but that doesn't mean there won't be opportunities for other riders. Reading between the lines, guys like Stuyven, Lampaert, Benoot, Campenaerts... are the ones that need to make the race hard, to react to/neutralize attacks, so that Van Aert doesn't have to do that every time himself. Evenepoel is supposed to have a "crucial role" and that's not "to be pacing the peloton for 100km" (which should be obvious since Declerq is also selected). I can guess what that role could be, but it wasn't specified. I think the idea will be to ride offensively with the other guys, to make sure Van Aert doesn't have to do any work himself and only has to follow wheels, in order to get him as fresh as possible into the final.
- Oct 31, 2018
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I think we can be 100% sure that Remco wants to become world champion himself much rather the WVA or god forbid teammates Alaphilippe or Asgreen. But Remco trying his luck in the Overijse part of the race could both suit his chances as WVA chances.
I think the deal is if there's a bunch together in the local circuit in Leuven than the plan is WVA for Belgium. But anything that happens before that is fair game for let's say Remco, Benoot or Campenaerts.
I very much see a scenario where WVA, Alaphilippe and MVP (yes I think he's going to ride) will mark each other out of contention and a mid race break with the likes of Van Baarle, Kragh Anderson, Remco, Moscon and such will ride for the win.
I think the deal is if there's a bunch together in the local circuit in Leuven than the plan is WVA for Belgium. But anything that happens before that is fair game for let's say Remco, Benoot or Campenaerts.
I very much see a scenario where WVA, Alaphilippe and MVP (yes I think he's going to ride) will mark each other out of contention and a mid race break with the likes of Van Baarle, Kragh Anderson, Remco, Moscon and such will ride for the win.
- Nov 16, 2013
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Benoot just beat Colbrelli in a sprint for bonus seconds on one of the first stages of the Benelux Tour, so he is obviously meant to be lead-out/stand-in for Van Aert
Okay, that is a relief to hear.
- Jul 16, 2015
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If Magnus Cort Nielsen is doing the world championships, he should also be listed as a potential winner IMO.
He can sprint & he can climb. And he's in top top condition.
He can sprint & he can climb. And he's in top top condition.
- Nov 16, 2013
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He is going. And I agree. But he does have his perpetual issue with the positioning.
- Jun 7, 2011
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- Feb 20, 2012
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I honestly don't know cause I can't gauge how hard the route is. Is the final circuit that easy?
- Sep 26, 2020
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