Belgian cycling named Serge Pauwels as an alternative to outgoing National coach Sven Vanthourenhout on Wednesday.

The former professional has worked as a coach of the Junior National Team of the Belgian Federation and as an assistant to Vananthourenhout for the past 4 years. He will take over the management of the elite and under-23 teams, and Angelo de Klerk will be named coach of the Cyclocross National Team and will be appointed Junior Road Coach by Pauwels.

"I am very honored to take on this role, especially now that we have one of the strongest generations of Belgians to date," Pauwels said, "We want to create an ideal environment for both riders and staff so that we can play as a team."

"I will also have juniors who have worked in the recent season, returning to the top category teams in the next few years so that I can continue to experience their journey"

Pauwels added three men's elite teams won by Remco Evenepoel, in addition to the two road titles won by Lotte Ko Pecki. World Title and two Olympic Gold

Belgian cycling president Tom van Dam said he hopes the country will maintain its level of success in the coming years.

"We are confident that we can maintain this with this new structure. There is certainly no reduction in top-level sports in our business," Van Damme said.

The Federation chose Powell, not former classic star Philip Gilbert.He showed interest in the position, but complained about the selection process on instagram.

"I wanted to be a road cycling coach across the country to share my experience and passion with the current generation," Gilbert writes. "But the position was not opened, and the internal agreement of cycling in Belgium prevented me from applying. I would like to thank the many riders who have shown their enthusiasm and the countless people who have supported me."

De Clercq is working as a temporary national coach after Vanthourenhout's departure and feels comfortable taking over the lead role in the Cyclocross and Junior Road teams.

"In recent years we have found that excellent cyclocross riders have grown into excellent road cyclists. We want to preserve the Belgian cyclocross culture of the past few decades and further develop and improve it," De Clercq said.