Patrick Lefevere laments the modern approach some riders have to World Championships selection: ‘I have absolutely no idea why’

In his weekly column in the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Patrick Lefevere shared his views on this year’s World Championship teams. The former team manager of Soudal Quick-Step sees a shift when it comes to invitations being sent out and subsequently declined. He cites Belgium and the Netherlands as examples.

"There was a time when, on the day of the World Championships selection, riders would sit next to their phones with their fingers crossed, hoping to see the national team coach's name appear on their screens. Being selected for the World Championships meant something: you were among the nine best riders in your country. You got to go,” Lefevere begins his story.

"Things are clearly different today. I read (note: the Belgian team will be officially announced on Monday) that Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, Victor Campenaerts, Cian Uijtdebroeks, and Ilan Van Wilder have declined the honour. "To be honest, I have absolutely no idea why," Lefevere stated firmly in his article in the Belgian newspaper.

"With all-around riders like Quinten Hermans, Tiesj Benoot, and Maxim Van Gils, you never have a weak team. Alec Segaert is a sure bet for the long, flat lead-up and for the time trial. For a World Championship held far away, like the one in Canada, the cycling federation’s treasurer also has a say in the selection. The riders for the time trial will have to come from the road team.”

"Withdrawals aren't a Belgian phenomenon," he says, addressing the Dutch team, which was announced earlier this week. A few well-known names were missing from that roster, and that naturally caught Lefevere's attention as well, he explains in his column.

"When I look at the lineup around Mathieu van der Poel, I don't think it's the top eight names on Dutch national team coach Koos Moerenhout's list either. No Wilco Kelderman, Dylan van Baarle, or Thymen Arensman—but Mathijs Paasschens, Menno Huising, and good old Bauke Mollema,” said Lefevere.