'Winning Roubaix unlocked something in him': Benoot backs Van Aert for Worlds glory

Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon CMA CGM) has backed Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) to become World Champion in Montréal on Sunday, while discussing Belgium’s two-pronged leadership and the difficulties of racing without team radio communications.

In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, looking back at his extensive World Championship history, Benoot reflected on his evolving role within the Belgian team and his responsibility as a road captain. 

Benoot has started the elite men’s road race on seven occasions, but is yet to be a part of a Belgian team that won the rainbow jersey.

He was not selected for Remco Evenepoel’s (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) victory in Wollongong, Australia, in 2022, but was part of the Belgian side that supported Evenepoel to Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.

On both occasions, Evenepoel and Van Aert successfully managed dual leadership.  Something which they will also need to do once more if Belgium are to be victorious in Montréal, and Benoot believes this can be the case. 

“I’ve experienced plenty of championships where the multiple-leader system was a success. Like at the Paris Games,” Benoot told Het Nieuwsblad.

“And here in Montréal, too, I believe it can work one hundred per cent. It makes us more unpredictable for the competition,” he added.

One of the biggest challenges to team cooperation at the Worlds will be the absence of race radios, something Benoot strongly criticised.

“I think it’s ridiculous. We have radios at the GP Montréal, but suddenly not at the World Championships, on the exact same course,” he said. 

“And yes, it’s difficult. I experienced it at the Paris Games: sometimes you simply don’t know who’s up front. Should you chase or not?”

“By the time you’ve gone back to ask the team car, the leaders already have a minute’s advantage. It makes the road captain’s role at the World Championships even more crucial. You really have to keep an eye on everything.”

In addition to radios, Benoot was also asked about the dynamics of trade teammates racing against one another, with the 2020 edition in Imola, Italy, being brought up as an example. 

Primož Roglič’s (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lack of cooperation with Van Aert in the chase of Julian Alaphilippe sparked debate after the Belgian had supported the Slovenian to second overall at the Tour just one week earlier. 

“True,” responded Benoot when asked if Roglič could really be blamed considering he was representing Slovenia and not Jumbo-Visma. 

“But Roglič had nothing to lose. It wasn't as if he had to chase down a compatriot; the rider in question was French. But I know Primož a bit better now. I can't recall ever seeing him take the lead at the World Championships—not even for Pogačar. It’s in his DNA.”

In Montréal, Benoot could face a similar situation, with Decathlon teammate Paul Seixas among the riders capable of threatening Belgium’s ambitions. 

Benoot didn’t flinch about the prospect of having to chase the Frenchman, but expects that Evenepoel and Van Aert will be able to respond to Seixas on their own terms.

“Then I’ll do it [close a gap to Seixas]. They know that at Decathlon. But honestly, I find it hard to imagine that scenario. That would mean Paul blasts away without Remco or Wout being there, while I’m still with our team leaders. Seems unlikely to me.”

Ultimately, when asked who will become World Champion on Sunday, Benoot leaned towards Van Aert.

“I’m going to say Wout van Aert. Remco definitely has a chance too, of course. But I’d love to see Wout win. And it’s possible. I’m convinced that winning Roubaix unlocked something in him.”