This is what Roland Liboton had to say to Het Nieuwsblad last Monday on the performance of the Belgian squad in Tabor. Liboton, one of the most successful cyclocross riders of the 1980's and a member of the Belgian Cycling Federation (he approved courses for the federation), had even more pointed and detailed complaints of his country's showing at the 2015 World Championships.
His complaints of riders from his nation included the following: The tire selection that was initially on Eli Iserbyt's bike at the start line, which arguably cost him the chance to keep pace with the leader; the decision to have Wout van Aert ride a new, untested bike, and although he wasn't explicit, he seemed to blame this for the mechanical problems; and he also heavily critiqued Sven Nys' riding, which to him looked like going backwards more than going forwards.
The Belgian Cycling Federation took action on his unabashed comments, mostly due to the heavy critique of Nys' performance. According to Het Nieuwsblad, Liboton was first given a message through email then by phone: he needed to publicly apologize to Nys.
Soon after, he was removed from his position, although whether the move is permanent or temporary is still up for debate. "There is too much to say after the World Championship and we needed Roland temporarily away from the field. We want to let the situation cool," Eddy Lissens, Coordinator of the Committee Cyclocross of the Belgian Union, told Het Nieuwsblad.
Sure there were a few wrong choices made, but stuff happens in cross.
Was anyone remotely surprised this year with Sven's performance? He's been struggling for 3-4 months. Criticizing him is the weirdest of all.
Yeah, homeboy needed to go. Good riddance.
Completely unprofessional. I hope Nys gets his job when he retires.
I don't know, while not using much tact his critiques seemed accurate.
Looks to me like he raised some valid points. Dissent makes organizations healthier. Although it's usually better to do it privately ;-).
Initially I thought it scary that he isn't free to be honest…but very few career paths allow for no filter ever I guess.
Wow, even the Belgians are getting soft.
Roland speaks the truth, our lazy pro's are to blame. Explain to me how it's possible that two neo pro's make the experienced pro's look like fools?
Did he see the podiums, the Belgians looked like someone stole their waffles. Which, metaphorically speaking, I guess they did.
They have the young blood, and are just way faster. It isn't like it was their first time on a cross bike.
Doping probe caused the older guys to dry out, so it leveled the field for the younger guys.
From what was translated to the story, Liboton's critique seems accurate.
Roland has got to get out of the past and try to fit in into modern times where CX is much more then it were in his days. He starts to sound like his friend De Vlaeminck, akso very jalous about what Nys has allready done. Even at 39 yo !! So Roland, say you're sorry to Sven and the others and if you don't want to…. it says a lot about you !!!
Like always in Belgium : a storm in a glass of water :-/ It is not the first time about these comments. In the past Roger De Vlaminck did the same. But Sven will be greatest ever!