UCI's decision to change World Championship team time trials 'a disgrace' says Quick-Step Floors boss
Patrick Lefevere is continuing his search for a new sponsor, and hopes the team's TTT title will help
The UCI's decision to axe the team time trial from the World Championships is "a disgrace", according to the Quick-Step Floors boss.
The Belgian WorldTour team dominated the event since it was re-introduced in 2012, winning four of seven gold medals.
Quick-Step Floors won the 2018 UCI Road World Championships men’s team time trial on Sunday, taking the win ahead of defending champions Sunweb by 18 seconds.
"I think that it's not a shame, but a disgrace," Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere told Sporza.
"The UCI says that it is at the request of the teams, because not all teams take part. As a WorldTour team, you should not look for excuses, I think."
>>>UCI Road World Championships 2018: dates, route, where to watch and more
Cycling's governing body announced in May that the event would be eliminated from the Worlds after 2018.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The issue was the cost and effort that the teams have to make to reach the event, added to an already busy racing schedule.
In 2012 the event was debuted in it's current format in Valkenburg, the Netherlands.
Only 11 of the 18 WorldTour teams took part in the event on Sunday, when Quick-Step topped Sunweb and BMC Racing.
The weaker TTT teams did not bother to attend. The remaining start list spots were occupied by professional continental teams and some local continental teams.
The event stands out in a week of national team events, but Lefevere's strong Quick-Step team and others like BMC did not mind.
"We crown our team as world champion, and I attach great importance to that," Lefevere said.
"Team Sky brings stronger riders to the start on paper, but a team time trial is also about cohesion, preparation and willpower, and we won with three of our riders younger than 23: Asgreen, De Plus and Schachmann."
The win added to Philippe Gilbert's comeback win on Sunday to give Quick-Step 69 for the 2018 season. Lefevere still searches for a big sponsor to augment his budget, however.
"Hopefully this world title will help, because it is not normal that we are still looking for a new main sponsor, but we will continue."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Knowing the course in a virtual race is maybe even more important than in road racing': Former e-sports World Champion's top tips
Speed skater turned eSports world champion, Loes Adegeest, on how to become virtually unbeatable when racing indoors
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Latvia protest against Mathieu van der Poel's World Championships result, saying he 'endangered spectators'
Latvian Cycling Federation calls on UCI to explain decision not to disqualify Dutchman who mounted pavement
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was pushing but I couldn't feel my legs' - GB's Oscar Onley on his breakout World Championships ride
The 21-year-old was the youngest man in the top-20 in Zürich and matched some of the big guns on his way to 16th
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It was a stupid move, but it worked' - Tadej Pogačar on his history-making World Championships ride
Welcome to the Pogačar era, where the Slovenian can attack from 100km to the line and still win. It's just starting.
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Crazy', 'not normal', 'another level' - Peloton reacts to another Tadej Pogačar solo masterclass at World Championships
The win was not unexpected, but the way it happened might have been, as the Slovenian soloed to historic victory
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar completes stunning Triple Crown with 51km solo to maiden rainbow jersey
Slovenian caps off imperious year with victory at the World Championships road race in Zurich
By Flo Clifford Published
-
'Everyone wants to win, sometimes that means everyone wants to lose' - Dutch attack, attack, and attack, but end up with fifth after confusing World Championships road race
Demi Vollering staked everything on trying to win the rainbow bands, but it wasn't to be. Was there a better way?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lotte Kopecky has 'perfect day' as she sprints to Worlds glory again
Belgian becomes seventh woman to defend the rainbow bands on tough day on the roads of Zürich
By Adam Becket Published
-
'In a sprint with Kopecky, that’s probably the best I can do' - Chloé Dygert content with silver in World Championships road race
The American took the best result for her country since 1991 in the road race, capping off great year for USA women's cycling
By Adam Becket Published