“Before the cross in Hoogerheide we were told that there were still three of us who had a chance of winning the 9th WC ticket: Witse Meeussen, Toon Vandebosch and myself,” explains the experienced 32-year-old in conversation with Sporza, following Van Aert’s announcement. “When it was announced after the cross that Wout would take 9th place, it came as a complete surprise.”
Even from the initial announcement of the Belgian lineup for Lievin, the 9th spot being left open felt ominous for Van Aert’s appearance. As Adams mentioned though, in conversation with him at least, Belgian Cycling maintained that the spot was open for the taking. “I already thought it was a bit strange that one spot was kept open last Monday when the World Cup selection was announced,” he recalls.
“They should have told us then that Wout still had the choice of whether or not to participate.
Then everyone would have understood that Wout would be allowed to participate as 9th. But now we were kept on the line for a week. That’s a bit sour.”
Adams’ is more than willing to admit that his results haven’t been spectacular this winter, but the Belgian is also insistent he could have performed strongly if he had been given the nod for a World Championship call-up next weekend. “On that course in Liévin I could have still achieved a good result,” he says determinedly. “Of course, most people don’t care about that. They prefer to watch a battle with Van Aert, which I understand.”
We're thrilled to announce that @woutvanaert will compete in the cyclo-cross World Championships this Sunday! 🌈
Wout: "I am excited to start in such a beautiful race, and I think that this extra boost is doing me good in the lead-up to bigger goals on the road."
Read more. 👇
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) January 26, 2025
The hopes aren’t completely over for Adams either. With Thibau Nys and Eli Iserbyt battling an ongoing illness, could a new opportunity open up? “But I don’t think anyone else will drop out of the Belgian selection. And I honestly don’t hope for that either,” Adams answers somewhat glumly. “People are saying that Laurens Sweeck is sick, but I just cycled with him yesterday. Thibau isn’t really sick either. He had a bit of trouble with a high heart rate yesterday, but that will be fine with a few days of rest. And Niels Vandeputte was a bit sick the days before Hoogerheide. Then it’s logical that you perform a bit less in the weekend.”
And so it looks like there will be no World Championship farewell in his final season for Adams. “Oostmalle (23 February) will be the last cyclo-cross of my career. I had already decided that before the season and this non-selection will not change that,” he concludes with a tangible sense of optimism for the future. “I feel that it is time to practice my other passion. I have been a physiotherapist for a while and after the season I will open my own physiotherapy practice. I am really looking forward to that.”
