Serge Pauwels was naturally thrilled with Remco Evenepoel's world title in the time trial. The Belgian national coach had expected a duel, "but it never even became that." Pauwels now looks ahead to the road race, where he embraces Belgium’s status as favorite.
The national coach first looks back briefly at Evenepoel’s phenomenal time trial. Already at the first split, he had a three-quarter-minute lead over the competition. "We were not surprised at the first split because we had already timed a point ourselves beforehand. We got the impression he started cautiously, but at the foot of the climb, he was 15 seconds ahead, and at the top, already 45 seconds.
"That was very promising, because you knew pacing would be important and that the toughest part was in the second half. But everything continued to look very good. You can also see that he gains confidence when he hears those times," he continues. "I had thought that Pogacar and Remco would be evenly matched. However, there wasn’t even a duel."
Full of confidence towards Sunday
Pauwels is also asked about next Sunday’s road race. Belgium will not be sitting back in the coming week. "It’s not that we are now relaxed because we’ve won. We have a very strong team for Sunday and have a good plan that is already partly discussed."
"We are ready for Evenepoel to be seen as the main favorite. The time trial has given confidence. Or at least hope. Pogacar will be eager for revenge, but we have also refilled our confidence," he concludes.
