Koos Moerenhout looks back on the 2023 World Cup: “Euphoria was unparalleled”

Youri IJnsen •
Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 5:30 PM

Interview National coach Koos Moerenhout had an excellent year on behalf of the KNWU. Under his wing, Mathieu van der Poel rode to the first Dutch road world title in 38 years and at the European Championships in his own country, Olav Kooij also won a nice bronze from the underdog role. Together with CyclingFlits the now 50-year-old native of South Holland looks back on that world title.

We start on January 1, 2023. What will your work look like during that period?
“Then I mainly collect the riders’ programs. I knew that the classics would be important indicators for both the World Cup and the European Championship. So I want to know who is riding which races. I maintain contact with riders and teams – I often call or text: what is possible and what is not possible? A World Cup usually fits into everyone’s schedule. But during a European Championship there are often other important matches on the programme. That selection was only made after the World Cup.”

How important is it for you to see riders at work with your own eyes?
“During the season I try to watch races on TV as much as possible. That’s when you see the most. Moreover, you would then have to drive continuously across Europe. I also read all the news – you are always quick – and I hear from the team management how the riders who are not directly on screen are doing. Then it is not always visible what their goals are in the matches. Furthermore, I believe that as a Dutch national coach I should at least show my face at the Amstel Gold Race and the Dutch championship. But speaking to real riders is logically not possible there. They are then focused on the race and often stay on the bus for a long time. And of course, in my position at Hagens Berman I also see riders and teams in various competitions.”

When did the contours for the World Cup selection really become visible?
“It quickly became clear that Dylan van Baarle and Mathieu had made it a goal. Then you quickly look at how you can support riders of that caliber as best as possible. After the reconnaissance in Glasgow I saw that it was a difficult story for a pure sprinter. Fabio Jakobsen wanted to ride, but I didn’t think it was appropriate after I saw the course myself. Van Baarle and Van der Poel had no secrets in that regard. For sprinters, races such as Gent-Wevelgem and possibly Milan-San Remo are a good indicator for a World Cup like last year’s. So I later decided to take Olav Kooij with me.”

Fast forward to the Tour de France, where your leader Van der Poel had a difficult time. When did you start to believe that things would turn out well?
“Of course he got sick, so you never know how it will turn out. That could go the wrong way, but you could see he pulled through. He did not use his powers unnecessarily and chose his moments. That gave hope. Once in Glasgow, after a short adjustment period, I saw that he was feeling good, was confident and relaxed. Although you only know how good someone really is in a competition. It’s not easy to feel good after the Tour. But that doesn’t mean you’re not good. I understand that he felt less good beforehand than in the classics. Then you have rest periods that you don’t have during the Tour.”

When did you have the feeling during the World Cup itself: ‘yes, this is the day!’?
“I don’t dare tell you the exact kilometre, but from the local rounds onwards it really went full speed ahead. You see riders releasing on all sides, good drivers too. With one hundred kilometers to go, there was little left at the rush hour of the race. If Dylan and Mathieu – the two men you want in the final – are still there, it gives confidence. While other expected countries such as Belgium and Denmark took off a jacket. It quickly became a hand-to-hand fight. That was really to our advantage.

Everything went perfectly. The pace remained consistently high. When Alberto Bettiol left at a certain point, that was also beneficial for us. At that time, the Belgians were still in the front group with a few more males. As a result, they were forced onto the defensive. That only worked out better for us. And then Mathieu himself started pounding more and more. Then it became clear that he was really very good and could put pressure on the other top favorites. On the course radio – which is the most reliable for us – you could clearly hear that he was doing demolition work. And then after an attack he suddenly found himself alone. If no one can follow at that moment in the race, you know that the attacker is the best man in the match.”

But then comes the fall… How many beats has your heart skipped?
“I had just joined the Wout van Aert group. At that moment you hear it on the race radio and to the public. I immediately wondered: how much ahead is he? I took comfort in the fact that we couldn’t see him in front of us. Soon the message came that he was back on the bike, with a twenty second lead. Then you were constantly out of sight on that course. That gave me confidence. Only then the delayed images came in, of that broken shoe and the scrapes. That is quite exciting. But it soon became clear that his lead was growing again.”

At some point you may pass. Do you realize that the last glimmer of hope for the pursuers is driving away from them on your rear bumper?
“Yes, I was certainly aware of that. I have also been a runner myself. When the leader’s team car passes, you know that the gap will only get bigger. In this case, the best riders in the world came no closer. I felt that when I passed, the other men got an extra slap. One that doesn’t make them any better. I then also saw in my mirror that they no longer had faith in it. Then I felt euphoria and pride. Like: ‘wow, how special!’.”

What do you say next when you drive next to Mathieu?
“That the hole had been opened, that he no longer had to take any risks. And above all that he had to enjoy it, that he was really working on a historic song. It was very nice to be there – and also afterwards. It had been since 1985 that there had been a Dutch world champion. And there was that story from a year earlier in Wollongong and from 2019 in Yorkshire. There it seemed that he would win the world title in my first year as national coach. The fact that it was now successful felt indescribably good.”

You have also been a rider yourself. Take a look at this world title, is that better than your own victories?
“Well, you have more control over your own career. Now you try to facilitate the riders as best as possible and once the race starts, it’s up to them. Then you also have to let it go. In my role as national coach, a world title is about the highest achievable, along with the Olympic Games. Winning a World Cup is what you work for every year. That often doesn’t work, it’s just that simple. If you succeed in that, that is very nice. There’s nothing like winning yourself. However, the euphoria I now had was unparalleled. But Dylan’s World Cup silver and Tom Dumoulin’s Olympic silver in 2021 and Olav’s bronze at the European Championships this year were also fantastic. Beautiful things are happening in that regard. Although this season was really a great year!”

Wasn’t it a nice high point to end on? I mean: what can you still gain as a national coach?
“My contract with the union expires at the end of 2024. I really like the combination between Hagens Berman-Jayco (as the team will be called from January 1, ed.) and the national coaching position at the KNWU. It also works out well on both sides. It feels that way to myself: on the one hand I am busy training, more in the shadows. On the other hand, I work at top events with the best riders in the Netherlands. I also love all the dynamics that come with it.

It is too early to say that I will still be national coach after 2024. But I am not unwilling to do so, no. I think I’m in a good place and I enjoy what I do. And that what I do also matters. Once that’s no longer the case, it’s time to go. Will a possible Olympic title change my view next summer? Then ask me that again, haha!”