As soon as Wout Van Aert was asked about his expectations for Sunday's UCI Road World Championship road race, he immediately spoke of his strong team and strong co-leader, Remco Evenpole. At this dual press conference, there was no doubt that this was an appearance that meant calm seas, with the view from the window of the cape's location directly down the coast.

At last year's World Championships in his hometown of Flanders, where team leader Van Aert struggled and Evenpole jumped into an early attack, criticizing the Belgian team's tactics, upsetting Van Aert and missing the debriefing to clear the air, the waters were clearly in rough It was a pattern.

The dynamic changed this year when Vuelta a España winner Evenepoel was named as VanArt's co-leader and the two's frosty relationship was publicly put on ice.

"We didn't just talk for the last couple of days," Venepoel said. 'Of course we've already talked about it. It's something we learned last year." 'Unlike last year, we run with two leaders because they are more unpredictable, and that's a big advantage for the team'

. They probably still don't think we're going to go together.

Asked if he could agree, Evenpoel first responded: "I think everything has blown up for nothing," but when asked if he could confirm that he and Van Aert would work together, Evenpoel quickly said yes.

It was enough for Van Art to joke that "you have to say yes, like when you get married in church."

And they may have laughed, but of course, for such a cycling-focused country as Belgium, nothing could be less serious than having the responsibility of chasing a world title.

"I want to win for Belgium. I want to win races for Belgium as a country and as a Belgian. I know his level and his ability, and he knows mine. So I think we can do well in similar races, like Liege for example.

Van Aert added: " Besides, I know that if we run together we will have a better chance. [The goal is to get the most out of both of us at the end of the 266.9 km course, so we're not going to waste energy in the early stages.

Van Aert said, "I think our capabilities are obvious. I'm a better sprinter than Evenpoel," to which Evenpoel jokingly retorted, to which Van Aert added, "Usually."

"Lemko can attack from the outside more," Van Aart continued.

"Lemko can attack from the outside more," Van Aert continued, "but I also don't think you have to choose too early. But you just have to take advantage of the chance to have both of them there in the final. I don't think many countries can do that. It will be really important to keep all options open. I think everyone expects me to wait for the sprint, but I can also attack."