This year Bart Wellens' best performance in a cyclo-cross race is 8th. His team manager Hans van Kasteren has a remarkably harsh message to his rider. "There is no longer any role for him," he says.
Bart Wellens has been unable to play a significant role for a while. His last victory dates back to 2013 when he beat Sven Nys in a sprint in Maldegem. His best result in a cross race this season is his eighth place in Gavere.
Hans van Kasteren, manager of Wellens' employer Telenet-Fidea, thinks the 36-year-old former world champion would honour himself by putting an end to his career.
"There is no longer any role for him. If I were him, I would stop and take up a position in the team," van Kasteren says in Het Laatste Nieuws. "There are others riders of his generation who can no longer keep up: Bart Aernouts, Bina, Simunek... Bart must of course make his own decision. His contract runs for another one and a half year.
Bart Wellens doesn't seem to be too impressed by van Kasteren's words: "To be clear: I do not stop. I'll stay here along with those who really believe in me. However, I have had another disappointment," Wellens wrote on Twitter.
30.03: The Bueng Si Fai |
30.03: Gran Premio Miguel Indurain |
30.03: Volta Limburg Classic |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
31.03: Ronde van Vlaanderen |
29.03 - 01.04: Ster van Zuid Limburg |
01.04: Gran Premio del Perdono |
01.04: Ronde de Mouscron |
01.04: Giro del Belvedere |
02.04: G.P. Palio del Recioto |
Bérengère STAELENS 39 years | today |
Nicholas TORRACA 29 years | today |
Julien BARBIER 39 years | today |
Matthew MELVILLE 45 years | today |
Thomas RIBER-SELLEBJERG 37 years | today |
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