UAE Team Emirates manager addresses Tim Wellens' absence from World Championships

UAE Team Emirates manager Joxean ‘Matxin’ Fernandez has addressed the controversy surrounding Tim Wellens’ decision to skip the World Cycling Championships in Canada. Following criticism regarding the Belgian rider's absence, Fernandez clarified that the team did not instruct Wellens to stay away from the event.

Fernandez noted that the team actively supports national selections by providing equipment, such as bikes and gels, and even making team buses available to various national teams, including those of Slovenia and Colombia. He suggested that the decision may have been personal, noting that riders sometimes decline participation if they do not feel their specific role in a technical project is significant enough or if they disagree with the race route.

Addressing speculation that Wellens chose not to participate to avoid assisting teammate and compatriot Remco Evenepoel, Fernandez dismissed the idea, stating that while Evenepoel is a competitor, he is also a friend.