Gilbert falls, Van Avermaet fades as Belgium fail to deliver at World Championships

(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Gilbert, Van Avermaet, Evenepoel, Wellens, Naesen, Teuns, Lampaert, Declercq. Few World Championships line-ups have promised so much and delivered so little.

On paper, Belgium were unquestionably the strongest nation on paper, with a star-studded line-up and a solution to every situation. The Worlds, however, as the old cycling saying goes, are not ridden on paper.

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

Patrick Fletcher

Patrick is an NCTJ-trained journalist, and former deputy editor of Cyclingnews, who has seven years’ experience covering professional cycling. He has a modern languages degree from Durham University and has been able to put it to some use in what is a multi-lingual sport, with a particular focus on French and Spanish-speaking riders. Away from cycling, Patrick spends most of his time playing or watching other forms of sport - football, tennis, trail running, darts, to name a few, but he draws the line at rugby.