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 plan to foster collaboration and communication within the coaching team as the new national coach?
**Interview with Serge Pauwels: The New National Coach of Belgian Cycling**
*Interviewer (I):* Congratulations on your new role, Serge! How does it feel to step into the position of national coach after Sven Vanthourenhout?
*Serge Pauwels (SP):* Thank you! It’s truly an honour. Being involved with such a talented group of cyclists is both exciting and humbling. I’ve been preparing for this opportunity for years, and now that the moment is here, I can’t wait to get started.
*I:* You’ve been alongside Vanthourenhout for a while now. How did your experiences as his right-hand man prepare you for this position?
*SP:* Working closely with Sven taught me a lot about strategy, team dynamics, and what it means to support athletes at the highest level. I’ve learned to approach coaching with a balance of technical knowledge and human understanding, which I believe is essential for success.
*I:* You’ve mentioned your excitement about coaching the current generation of Belgian cyclists. What are your goals for the team moving forward?
*SP:* My primary goal is to create an environment where athletes feel supported and motivated to excel. I want to help them develop not only as competitors but also as individuals. I’m especially looking forward to guiding the junior talents I’ve worked with in the past as they make their way to the elite level.
*I:* With new responsibilities come new challenges. What do you anticipate will be your biggest hurdle in this role?
*SP:* Every coaching position has its unique challenges, but I think the most significant one will be integrating different styles and personalities within the team to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals. Establishing strong communication and trust from the get-go is crucial.
*I:* Any thoughts on the dynamics of the coaching team? Ludwig Willems and Angelo De Clercq both have their roles. How will that collaboration look moving forward?
*SP:* I believe clear communication and mutual respect are key. Each coach has their expertise, and we need to work together to support each other’s initiatives while keeping the athletes’ best interests at heart. It’s essentially a team effort on and off the bike.
*I:* what message do you have for the fans of Belgian cycling as you embark on this journey?
*SP:* I want to assure them that I’m fully committed to bringing out the best in our cyclists. Their support means everything, and together, we can achieve great things. I’m excited about the future, and I hope they will be with us every step of the way.
*I:* Thank you, Serge! We’re looking forward to seeing how you lead the team.
*SP:* Thank you! I appreciate it, and I can’t wait for the upcoming season.