Kurt Van de Wouwer (Lotto U23 manager, former top 10 finisher in TDF) isn't a fan of other teenagers following in Evenepoel's footsteps by skipping the U23.
Vorig jaar trokken we nog grote ogen toen Remco Evenepoel besliste de beloftecategorie over te slaan, nu volgt de ene na de andere jonge renner zijn voorbeeld. Een verontrustende trend, zo vindt Kurt Van de Wouwer, ploegleider bij de beloften van Lotto-Soudal.
sporza.be
More and more teenagers in professional peleton: "Not a fan of the Evenepoel effect".
Will Ilan Van Wilder, Quinn Simmons and Carlos Rodriguez ever step out of the shadow of Remco Evenepoel?
Last year we were amazed when Remco Evenepoel decided to skip the U23 category, now one young rider after another follows his example. A worrying trend, according to Kurt Van de Wouwer, sports director of the Lotto-Soudal espoirs.
Leaving aside Axel Merckx's team, Remco Evenepoel was the only teenager in the professional peloton last year. In 2020 that number has already increased to 10 teenagers.
It's remarkable that following the example of Evenepoel 5 riders skip the U23 category: Quinn Simmons (to Trek), Carlos Rodriguez (to Ineos), Carlos Canal (to Burgos) and the "cyclo-cross duo" Ben Tulett and Ryan Cortjens (Corendon-Circus).
"That will not be a coincidence", says Kurt Van de Wouwer to Sporza. "The good performance of Evenepoel in his first professional year will certainly have something to do with this trend. "I don't applaud that. Evenepoel is an exceptional case. Other riders now think they're ready for that step too, but that might be a disappointment."
Quinn Simmons became world champion in the juniors in a powerful way. (img)
"Intermediate step to the U23 is really necessary"
As coach of the Lotto-Soudal U23, Kurt Van de Wouwer believes that this category is crucial for the training of a rider. "At the juniors they ride races of 120 to 130 kilometers, at the U23 the number is increased and now and then they also ride races together with the pros. That intermediate step is really necessary."
"A few years ago there were riders like Bakelants, Hermans and De Gendt, who were with the promises for the full 4 years. Now riders like Evenepoel, Simmons and Rodriguez skip that step, while others already after 1 or 2 years at the promises. You have to be very talented to digest that."
"You really have to stand out from the promises to be able to play a role with the pros. Some people forget that. So I'm pretty sure that among the riders who are already making the switch, there will be guys who will quickly fade away. That's also normal. Not all of them can grow into top talents."
"There is also a mental aspect. If you change trains and you're not physically or mentally ready for it, you might get some blows from the pros.
If you change trains and you are not physically or mentally ready, you will suffer. (quote)
"The best juniors are already working with a manager."
From the point of view of the teams, Van de Wouwer understands the appeal of all these young talents. "They are interesting from a budgetary point of view, because their wages are not that high yet."
Money also plays an important role for the riders themselves. "The best juniors already work with a manager. As soon as you perform well, the manager will go around the market with his riders. And then you're off."
"Some riders are also afraid that after less than a year with the promises they might not get a chance again with the pros. They want to forge the iron when it's hot. You also notice that more and more young riders are impatient, among other things because they mirror themselves on an Evenepoel.
Ilan Van Wilder finished 3rd in the Tour of the Future. (img)
"Too bad we can't reap the fruits of Van Wilder ourselves."
Among the 10 teenagers for 2020, Ilan Van Wilder (19) is also a Belgian top talent. Last year he was trained by the team of Van de Wouwer, but already after 1 year he chose for a professional adventure with... Sunweb.
"That was a disappointment for me and the team. You put time and money in the riders and then you can't reap the rewards yourself. In the past many of our youngsters did choose Lotto, like Benoot, Wellens and Lambrecht. For once, it's not."
Is Van Wilder's switch too early? "That is a case of doubt. He is someone who has to succeed. But is he doing the right thing to make the switch so quickly...? By choosing Sunweb, he also chooses a totally different environment. That would have been different for the familiar Lotto. But as with all those young riders, we'll just have to wait and see what it gives the pros."