Philippe Gilbert blames 'internal agreements of Belgian Cycling' after missing out on national coach role

Belgian Philippe Gilbert of Lotto Soudal pictured during preparations ahead of the 109th edition of the Tour de France cycling race in Copenhagen Denmark Wednesday 29 June 2022 This years Tour de France takes place from 01 to 24 July 2022 and starts with three stages in Denmark BELGA PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN Photo by DAVID STOCKMAN BELGA MAG Belga via AFP Photo by DAVID STOCKMANBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images
Philippe Gilbert: "Since the position was never open, the internal agreements of Belgian Cycling got the better of my application." (Image credit: Getty Images)

Following Serge Pauwels' appointment as Belgium's national road coach, Philippe Gilbert has taken to social media to air his grievances with the hiring process for the position.

Belgian Cycling announced Pauwels' hiring on Wednesday. The former pro steps up from coaching the junior programme, a position he'd held for the past four seasons alongside his role as an assistant to outgoing coach Sven Vanthourenhout. 

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.