National coach Sven Vanthourenhout has announced his selection for the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Tabor in the buildings of the Belgian cycling federation in Tubize. In the absence of three-time world champion Wout van Aert, winner of the World Cup cyclocross in Benidorm on Sunday, the Belgian medal hope lies in the hands of West Flemish riders Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout, but also in those of Thibau Nys and Laurens Sweeck.
Joran Wyseure from Lichtervelde is also part of the team, together with Jens Adams, Toon Vandebosch, Niels Vandeputte and Witse Meeussen (subject to change). As European champion, Michael Vanthourenhout is in any case qualified for the World Cup. If Belgian champion Iserbyt is crowned winner of the World Cup next Sunday in Hoogerheide, Netherlands (which seems very likely), he will also be automatically qualified and Belgium may send a ninth rider to Tabor. That will be Witse Meeusen.
Wout van Aert previously announced that he would end his cyclo-cross winter after the cross in Benidorm. The Kempen resident chooses to continue preparing for the road cycling season. The Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel defends his world title in Tabor and is the clear favorite. He will compete for a sixth rainbow jersey in the Czech Republic. Last year Van der Poel won the title in Hoogerheide ahead of Van Aert and Iserbyt.
Among the promises, we are also looking forward to Yorben Lauryssen from Roksem.