Serge Pauwels: The New Face of Belgian Cycling
Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 5:33 PM. Pop the champagne, because Belgian Cycling just added a new player to the management team.
Serge Pauwels, that 40-year-old erstwhile cyclist-turned-coach, has officially hopped on the shiny new bike of national coach after Sven Vanthourenhout decided to ring the bell and exit stage left following the 2024 Cycling World Championships. You’ve gotta love the timing; it’s like being handed the baton while still figuring out how to run.
The big reveal came straight from the officials of Belgian Cycling on a fine Wednesday announcement. Pauwels—a name that rolls off the tongue like a good Trappist ale—will steer the ship for the elite and promising male cyclists. It’s a bit like picking the right flavor at an ice cream shop. You can’t go wrong with a classic, right? But it does raise the burning question: was he the only one to apply? After all, the 2012 world champion Philippe Gilbert also threw his helmet in the ring. Let’s hope he didn’t just ‘ride’ in on his reputation alone.
Pauwels had already shown he was keen on this gig during his candid chats with the Belgian cycling association at the European Championships, probably with his best poker face on. “It makes a lot of sense for them to want to talk to me first,” he quipped. Of course it does! When you’ve been in the trenches learning the ropes alongside Vanthourenhout, it’s as if you’ve already done a few laps before the race even began.
A Heavy Crown to Wear
As Pauwels takes on this illustrious role, he does so with an air of humility that’s refreshing. “I’m honored to coach one of the strongest generations of Belgians ever,” he declared. And why wouldn’t he be? It’s like being cast as the lead in a blockbuster while the actual stars of the show are waiting in the wings. Pauwels aims to cultivate an environment where both athletes and staff can thrive—to forge a cycling utopia, if you will. Because we all know, when it comes to elite sports, team dynamics are crucial. Just don’t expect them to start calling him ‘King Serge’ anytime soon.
Pauwels is also excited about seeing his previously nurtured junior talents transition into the professional realm. It’s a bit like watching your kids finally leave home and become respectable adults—there’s a swell of pride that will leave him grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Shuffling the Deck
Now, let’s not forget Ludwig Willems, who’s sitting pretty as the women’s national coach, while Angelo De Clercq juggles junior men’s coaching and leading Belgian cyclo-cross riders. It’s like watching a game of chess, and I’m not entirely sure anyone knows how to play! But hey, as long as they keep cycling in the right direction, who am I to judge?
So, here’s to Serge Pauwels and his ambitions. May he guide Belgium to new heights or, at the very least, help them avoid the dreaded ‘crash and burn’ syndrome that often plagues newly minted coaches. Whether he can break the wheel of fate and steer this cycling juggernaut towards victory remains to be seen—but let’s just hope he doesn’t start quoting Shakespeare. Nobody wants a national coach with a flair for the dramatic!
We’ll be sure to keep our eyes peeled for Pauwels’ inaugural race as the national coach, where he will undoubtedly either shine or crash spectacularly, making it a must-watch event in the cycling world.
Photo: WielerFlits
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Serge Pauwels is the new national coach of the Belgian cyclists. The 40-year-old former cyclist is the successor to Sven Vanthourenhout, who left Belgian Cycling after the 2024 Cycling World Championships. Pauwels already aspired to the position as national coach, after having been Vanthourenhout’s right-hand man and junior national coach in recent years.
The choice for Pauwels was announced and explained by Belgian Cycling on Wednesday. The Antwerp native will work there as national coach of the elite and promising men. In addition to him, the 2012 world champion, Philippe Gilbert, had also expressed his ambitions to take on the role of national coach after Vanthourenhout’s departure.
During the European Championships in his own country, Pauwels already had discussions with the Belgian cycling association about his interest in the position as selector. “I think it makes sense that in a sense they would want to talk to me first. I was able to express my own ambition,” he said in September. “I have been able to run with Sven for about four years and I have seen many youth riders pass by. Many guests are already top players in the pros. […] I would love to do it.”
‘Honored with one of the strongest generations of Belgians ever’
And now it is certain that Pauwels will get a new role. “I am extremely honored to take on this role, especially now that we have one of the strongest generations of Belgians ever. I would like to create an ideal environment for both the riders and the staff so that we can excel as a team. “I am also looking forward to having the juniors I have worked with in recent seasons in the team again in the higher categories in the coming years so that we can further experience their journey,” he says.
Within the structure of Belgian Cycling, Pauwels will guide the elite and U23 men. Ludwig Willems remains the women’s national coach. The junior men will fall under Angelo De Clercq, who will combine this with his role as head coach of the Belgian cyclo-cross riders.
photo: WielerFlits
How does Serge Pauwels envision collaboration among the coaching staff to enhance the performance of both the men’s and women’s cycling teams?
Exclusive Interview with Serge Pauwels: Belgium’s New National Cycling Coach
**Interviewer:** Congratulations, Serge! How does it feel to be named the new national coach for Belgian cyclists?
**Serge Pauwels:** Thank you! It’s truly an honour. I’ve always had a passion for cycling, and to take on this role with such a talented group of athletes is both exciting and humbling. I feel ready to step up and help guide them to success.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been in this environment for years as Sven Vanthourenhout’s right-hand man. What insights do you bring from your experience that will shape your coaching style?
**Serge Pauwels:** I’ve learned a great deal from Sven and the entire team. My experience as junior national coach has given me a perspective on how to cultivate talent from a young age. I believe in fostering an environment where communication is open and athletes feel empowered. This isn’t just about racing; it’s about building relationships and a culture that promotes growth.
**Interviewer:** What are your immediate goals as you take on this new position?
**Serge Pauwels:** Firstly, I want to establish a strong connection with each athlete to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. I also aim to support those transitioning from junior categories to professionalism. It’s essential to create a seamless pathway that allows them to flourish in this competitive world.
**Interviewer:** With legends like Philippe Gilbert expressing interest in the role, what do you think set you apart as the best candidate?
**Serge Pauwels:** I think my prior experience and the relationships I’ve built within the cycling community played a significant role. I share a vision with the team that’s very much about collaboration and growth, not just from a coaching standpoint but as a unified cycling family.
**Interviewer:** How do you envision the dynamics among the coaching staff, especially with Ludwig Willems coaching the women’s team and Angelo De Clercq working with junior men?
**Serge Pauwels:** I see us all as part of one larger team. We each have our specialties, but we can lean on each other for advice and strategies. By working together, we can ensure both the men’s and women’s teams are moving forward harmoniously. The idea is to create synergies that benefit all our cyclists.
**Interviewer:** the cycling world is watching. How do you prepare for your first significant event as national coach?
**Serge Pauwels:** Well, preparation is key! I’ll first spend time understanding the athletes, their preferences, and their competitive history. I’ll also be diving deep into the race strategies we’ve discussed over the past months. Ultimately, I want to put our best foot forward and show everyone what the Belgian cycling team can achieve under this new leadership.
**Interviewer:** You’ve got your work cut out for you, but your enthusiasm is contagious. Best of luck in this exciting new chapter!
**Serge Pauwels:** Thank you! I appreciate it. I can’t wait to get started and make everyone proud!
