Belgium's national team commissioner Serge Pauwels has officially announced his selection for the World Cycling Championships, scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada. With defending champion Tadej Pogacar absent, expectations surrounding the Belgian squad are rising, with many considering Belgium as one of the favorites for the conquest of the world title.

The lineup selected by Pauwels is composed of prominent cyclists, including Remco Evenepoel, the young talent who has demonstrated his worth in various competitions and has already worn the rainbow jersey. Alongside him will be:
Wout van Aert, Thibau Nys, Tiesj Benoot, Maxim Van Gils, Quinten Hermans, Alec Segaert and Gianni Vermeersch.

This team will combine experience and young talent, with cyclists who have already achieved significant success in various international competitions.

A sore point for the national team is the absence of Tim Wellens, who has decided not to participate in the World Championships due to work overload. Wellens, fresh from winning the Tour of Britain, received messages from Remco Evenepoel urging him to join the national team, but after careful consideration decided to withdraw. "I have to be honest: I hesitated for a moment. Not because of Serge, but because of the messages I received from Remco. That was flattering. But still, I'm sticking to my decision," Wellens stated.

The Flemish rider also emphasized the importance of respecting the commitment he made to his team, which is facing a difficult season due to various injuries. His withdrawal, therefore, is a responsible choice, aimed at ensuring the necessary support to his team in the final races of the season.

With the competition shaping up to be fiercely contested, the Belgian formation will have to face not only the pressure of being among the favorites, but also the challenges posed by high-level opponents. Pauwels' selection has been welcomed with enthusiasm and confidence, and many hope that the combination of talents can lead to a positive result.

On September 27th, all eyes will be on Montreal, where the Belgian national team will have the opportunity to demonstrate its worth on the most prestigious stage of world cycling. For Evenepoel and Van Aert it will be crucial to try to win the title and prove that Belgium remains a leading nation in the international cycling landscape.