Vanthourenhout reveals which strong Belgian cannot participate in the Olympic Games

In just over three months, Paris will be the setting for the Olympic Games and the Belgian riders have a good chance of winning a medal.

There are a lot of talented Belgians riding around in the peloton at the moment. For example, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel are two of the very best riders in the world. Sven Vanthourenhout leaves no doubt that the two phenomena can certainly pack their bags for Paris.

Filling the remaining spots will not be an easy task for the national coach. After all, only 4 Belgians are allowed to go to Paris. That is the maximum number of participants per country. Mathieu van der Poel is even allowed to take two compatriots with him!

Other places

Which two other Belgians will be allowed to defend their country in the French capital on August 3? “I always want to have someone with me that you can count on 200% in all circumstances,” says Vanthourenhout in an interview with The last news.

“The longlist has about fifteen names, but in my head there are still seven.” Vanthourenhout does not yet want to say which seven riders these are. “But Tiesj is indeed one of them. You can go to war with him. Jasper Philipsen and Arnaud De Lie too.”

Gianni Vermeersch?

Gianni Vermeersch impressed in Van der Poel’s service this spring and finished in a respectable 6th place in Paris-Roubaix. But a ticket for Paris may not be in the cards. “Congratulations for what he does. He is always there when he has to. But… the Games will be difficult. He is not among the seven candidates.”

Vermeersch is certainly not liked by the two leaders, Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel. Does that affect his selection? “No. They shouldn’t be lap dogs, they can certainly have some spirit in them. As long as I can count on everyone 100%. I could certainly mold Gianni into that story.”

Team interests

Another potential danger for the Belgians are team interests. For example, Jasper Philipsen said last year during the Tour that he never rides behind his teammate and best friend Mathieu van der Poel. Gianni Vermeersch is also a good friend and teammate of the world champion.

“You can’t get around there,” says Vanthourenhout. “I have no doubt that they can be trusted, I dare to put both hands in the fire for that.”

“But it is sometimes difficult to push those drivers into such a role. Actually, I do not want to put them in that ambiguous situation and protect them from themselves. This does not mean that they will never be eligible for selection.”