Tiesj Benoot has backed the Van Aert Worlds bid in Montréal, while insisting Belgium can handle another shared leadership plan.
The Decathlon CMA CGM rider expects Wout van Aert and Remco Evenepoel to form a workable Belgian partnership in Sunday’s elite men’s road race. Van Aert will line up for Belgium while racing professionally for Visma | Lease a Bike. Evenepoel, the 2022 world champion, rides for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Benoot spoke to Het Nieuwsblad about his long history with the Belgian selection. He has started the elite men’s road race seven times. He has yet to race in a Belgian team that claimed the rainbow jersey.
He missed Evenepoel’s victorious Worlds ride in Wollongong in 2022. He did, however, ride in the Belgian team that helped Evenepoel win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.
Benoot trusts Van Aert Worlds bid and Belgian balance
Belgium again faces the familiar challenge of racing with two clear leaders. Benoot sees that as a strength rather than a problem.
He pointed to past championships, including the Paris Games, where several leaders functioned successfully. In his view, a dual approach can make Belgium harder to read in Montréal.
That balance will matter on a course where quick decisions could shape the title race. Benoot’s role as road captain may prove important, especially because riders cannot use team radio communications at the World Championships.
Benoot criticised that rule strongly. He noted that riders can use radios at the GP Montréal, despite racing on the same course.
He said the absence of radios creates uncertainty inside the race. At the Paris Games, he sometimes lacked clear information about who had gone clear. That can leave riders unsure whether to chase or wait.
Benoot said a rider can lose precious time by dropping back to speak with the team car. By then, a breakaway can already hold a significant advantage. That makes observation and leadership within the peloton even more important.
Trade teammates could become rivals
Benoot also addressed the tension created when trade teammates race for different national teams. The 2020 Worlds in Imola remains a notable example.
Primož Roglič, then Van Aert’s Jumbo-Visma teammate, did not contribute strongly to the chase of Julian Alaphilippe. The debate intensified because Van Aert had supported Roglič to second overall at the Tour de France one week earlier.
Benoot accepted that Roglič raced for Slovenia, not his trade team. Still, he noted that Roglič was not chasing a compatriot that day. Alaphilippe was racing for France.
Benoot said he knows Roglič better now. He added that he cannot recall seeing Roglič lead at the Worlds, even for Tadej Pogačar.
A similar dilemma could arise for Benoot in Montréal. His Decathlon teammate Paul Seixas is among the riders who could threaten Belgium’s hopes.
Benoot said he would chase Seixas if required, and that his trade team knows that. Yet he considers that situation unlikely. It would require Seixas to attack without Evenepoel or Van Aert present, while Benoot remained with Belgium’s leaders.
Asked for his Worlds pick, Benoot leaned toward Van Aert. He still gave Evenepoel a clear chance, but said he would love to see Van Aert take the title.
Benoot believes Van Aert’s Roubaix victory changed something in him. He described it as having unlocked something ahead of the Montréal race.
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