Belgian national oach Kevin De Weert has announced the nine riders that will represent the country atc the World Championships in Qatar on Sunday, October 16. Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet are the leaders in the desert.

Boonen will be the leader in a sprint and will be supported by a strong train made made up of Jurgen Roelandts, Jens Debusschere, Jens Keukeleire, Nikolas Maes and Jasper Stuyven. Van Avermaet will play a free role and it is likely that the in-form Oliver Naesen will also have some freedom. Iljo Keisse completes the team.

Sep Vanmarcke has not been selected but it was already clear yesterday because he was sick. Sprinter Timothy Dupont who won his 16th race last week, is not in the selection. He is one of the reserves.

Also Jelle Wallays, Yves Lampaert and Jonas Vangenechten can be called up for the event.

"I have not have much doubt. I just looked for the best team on the course that we face. It can be a very beautiful, but also very tough Worlds race and it suits this team," De Weert told Sporza.

"Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet on an equal level for me. That's normal when you look at the status that Greg has had this year and the way in which he leads. The other riders have no trouble to work for these two leaders.

"Their domestiques? I don't like hat word. I just selected seven good men, strong riders who can do these races.That's why I chose Maes instead of Vermote because he has experience in Qatar. Iljo Keisse was never discussed. He's just top at what he does.

"If a sprinter wins, it will be a strong one. We want to make the race. In Qatar that means creating echelons. Now I hope that the wind does not let us down.

"A plan B? Tom is obviously our first card. He is hampered by the crash, but physically I do not expect any problems. If anything happens to him, Jens Debusschere has a very good sprint. If there is no sprint, I can still do something else with this team. We have Van Avermaet, Stuyven, Naesen ... There is also communication during the race so I can play the game.

"In theory, the Netherlands can be an ally to make the race hard because Terpstra also has it as a target, But first and foremost we must ensure that we keep an eye on the wind. If you miss an echelon, but still ride well as a team, you can still do a lot."

Line-up:

Tom Boonen
Greg Van Avermaet
Oliver Naesen
Jasper Stuyven
Jürgen Roelandts
Jens Debusschere
Jens Keukeleire
Iljo Keisse
Nikolas Maes