First i want to say that i agree with Julien based on what he expressed. However, i also think it's pretty much useless to complain for this because it's incredibly rare you will get a perfect race. Ok, the pacemaking could have been better, but then, mother nature could have had other ideas.
A 14:13 first 5 split - 59:59 pace kinda ruined the party, it's better to be on the slow side than on the crazy fast one but it could have been faster.
5-10K - 13:57 - 58:50 pace, they got back on schedule but the pacing was really uneven
10-15K - 13:46 - 58:04 pace ( for Wanders), well inside the world record pace, which obviously he was not in shape for.
15-21.1k - 17:17 - 59:40 pace - last 5k sector and the uneven pacing spoiled the finish.
It's not crazy at all if instead of 59:59-58:04 pace they would have gone 58:50 on each to think Wanders would have had a shot to break 59. I also really think it was more than doable. But he shouldn't lose too much sleep about it because it clearly shows he has higher capabilities and his time to shine again will come sooner rather than later.
Julien expressed that he is not done with the track just yet and wants to prove the worth of these road races on the track. In a recent interview to a swiss newspaper he said he wants to fight for the medals at worlds, so he must get in sub-13 and sub-27 shape which also is his track dream.
He won't run a marathon any sooner than 2021 because their philosophy it's the same as Kipchoge's, for the marathon you have to be prepared, physically and mentally, so as better endurance comes with age, he definitely can wait.
In the process he set his sight on this year's worlds, next year's Worlds Half Champs, sub 13 and sub 27 on the track and of course, the little matter of getting sub 59 at the Half and get as close as possible to the WR. Not too shabby for a yet 22 year old, isn't it??
Julien also mentioned that after the 5k road race in Monaco he will either start preparing for the track season or race another road race in April which is yet under discussion with his long-time coach Marco Jager. My take from this is the following : They pretty much wants to see how he recovers from the Ras effort and want to have another stab at the 59 minute barrier for the half before they can fully focus for the track.
When you say april road race and half marathon, 2 things come to my mind, Prague Half and Berlin Half, both usually with good weather, incredible depth and fast courses. We will see what future brings but one thing is sure, it will be very bright for Julien if he keeps the hunger and as he likes to say, the 'eye of the tiger'.