Sven Nys, Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert will lead the Belgian squad at the World Championships
Belgian Cycling Federation has instructed all its riders to support their captain at the upcoming Cyclo-cross World Championship.
The event is scheduled on January 28 and 29, 2012, with Junior Men, U23 Men, Elite Women and Elite Men as the four main categories of the event.
Jos Smets briefed, “The scenario of St. Michielsgestel must not be repeated, we expect riders who take positions on the national team to adhere to their agreements”.
“Anyone who does not do so shows that he does not belong on the national team and that in the future he cannot count on being selected,” he continued.
The 2000 World Championships were held in St. Michielsgestel, Netherlands, where Sven Nys helped his teammate, Richard Groenendaal of Germany, to take the lead.
Richard ultimately won the championships ahead of the Belgian Mario de Clercq, whereas Nys took the bronze medal.
Kevin Pauwels is leading the Elite Men World Cup final standings with a total number of 590 points. His compatriot, Sven Nys is 50 points behind at the second position.
Reigning world champion, Zdenek Stybar is currently holding the third position, with 525 points to his credit.
Klaas Vantornout and Tom Meeusen are currently placed at the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
Pauwels secured the top spot with a close lead of three UCI points over Sven Nys.
It is the first time that Pauwels has dominated the rankings after he overcame Stybar, with a lead of 8 seconds during the UCI World Cup Round number 8.
He stated, "This means a lot to me, I'm pleased it is the World Cup that I win because the races are not only in Belgium".
The Belgian side is positive to conquer Zdenek Stybar, who has dropped down to the third position.
The Czech won the past two editions of the World Cup and it is a good opportunity for him to collect his third consecutive title.
Sven Nys, Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert are the three favourites who can make it happen for the Belgian side. It will be interesting to see who will lead the Belgian side at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup this Sunday.
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