Evenepoel refused to show up for Belgium's Worlds debrief, Stuyven reveals

LEUVEN BELGIUM SEPTEMBER 26 Remco Evenepoel of Belgium leads The Breakaway during the 94th UCI Road World Championships 2021 Men Elite Road Race a 2683km race from Antwerp to Leuven flanders2021 on September 26 2021 in Leuven Belgium Photo by Alex Broadway PoolGetty Images
Evenepoel leads Van Aert and Stuyven at the Worlds road race (Image credit: Getty Images)

The wounds from Belgium's showing at their home World Championships a month ago have still not fully healed, with Jasper Stuyven echoing Wout van Aert in warning Remco Evenepoel about his communication skills. 

In a long end-of-season interview with Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, the Milan-San Remo champion, who placed fourth in the Worlds road race, revealed that Evenepoel had failed to show up for the team debrief. 

Stuyven described "some crying on the bus" in Leuven but explained that team manager Sven Vanthourenhout had arranged a virtual meeting five days after the event to talk things through for the best part of half an hour.

"Everyone was there, except Remco," Stuyven said. "He was aware, but didn't think it was necessary. I think that is a shame, especially because he thought it necessary to say things on TV. That stuck with some of us."

A day after the race, Evenepoel claimed on television that he had the legs to become world champion himself, revealing he’d asked for a chance to ride for himself and was turned down by the national coaches.

Talk of Evenepoel's willingness to sacrifice himself for Van Aert had dominated the build-up after a questionable display at the Olympics and a poor public perception fulled by Eddy Merckx's suggestions of selfishness. The 21-year-old pledged his unwavering support for Van Aert and appeared to be sacrificing himself in early moves, until his teammates came out after the race to reveal that had never been part of team tactics. 

Van Aert was baffled by Evenepoel's post-race comments and Stuyven was similarly critical.

"I think that Remco should sometimes be slowed down by his entourage. He still has to learn when he can and cannot say things."

"Also, a super-strong rider – which he certainly is – should realise that some things should remain internal."

As for whether Evenepoel was right to believe he could have become world champion that Sunday in Leuven, Stuvyen said: "I do not think so. 

"In the first place, he should have ridden a different race. What he did – ride full in the early break, gesticulate and be omnipresent until the final started – any sub-topper can do. But even if he had spared himself, he would never have ridden away from Alaphilippe."

Stuyven was eventually the one to take over the leadership from Van Aert, going clear in a chase group behind the solo winner Julian Alaphilippe, but missing out in the three-up small sprint for the minor medals. 

Stuyven revealed that Van Aert had apologised to him for not telling him sooner that he was not on his best day, but insisted there were no hard feelings. 

"A rider who says 'I'm not great' after every bit of pain will never win a race. I fully understand what Wout did at the World Championships," Stuyven said.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.