"I'm starting with the top five as my ambition" - Gianni Vermeersch starts as dark horse for Belgian Cyclocross Championship

This Sunday afternoon, the always hotly-contested Belgian National Championships take place in Meulebeke.

Although perhaps not an outright favourite to take the title, Gianni Vermeersch is definitely in with a shout. "For me, cyclocross is more of a preparation for the road season. I have fun with those crosses, but it is not a real goal," the Alpecin-Deceuninck man tells Sporza. "It went better this season than last year. But I doubt whether that makes me a contender for the Belgian Championships."

Nevertheless, Vermeersch has shown some good legs this year, working alongside teammate, Mathieu van der Poel. "In Loenhout I came second behind van der Poel. In Koksijde I came fifth with a strong field. The question is whether these are really valuable indicators for Sunday, because last Saturday's cross in Gullegem was disappointing," he wonders.

"I'm starting with the top five as my ambition. And I hope for a podium place. Then everything will have to go well, the pieces of the puzzle will have to fall together," Vermeersch concludes. "As absolute contenders for the title, you cannot ignore the foursome Nys-Sweeck-Iserbyt-Vanthourenhout. And don't forget Niels Vandeputte, just like Quinten Hermans."