"He can relax with his girlfriend and make time for quality time" - Gerben Kuypers taking a break after busy start to cyclocross winter

After a busy start to the winter that has seen him race no fewer than fourteen crosses already this campaign, Gerben Kuypers will be taking a short break to rest-up and refocus.

After an illness ruled him out in his most recent cross, last weekend in Flamanville, the decision for Kuypers to rest was once placed upon him by Circus - Reuz - Technord's Bart Wellens. “We immediately switched gears and ignored Flamanville,” says Wellens to Wielerflits. “Gerben was able to leave for his internship a day earlier. There he can relax with his girlfriend and make time for quality time.”

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With two wins this year, the 23-year-old Belgian has continued his impressive progression and whilst he's been unable to challenge for the win in a UCI World Cup race this year, a fourth placed finish in Troyes was another positive sign.

“He was the revelation of last season and would now like to confirm. Gerben has already ridden a few top crosses this year, but it remains difficult to cope when you finish 'only' tenth. Riders expect a lot from themselves, and it is good to take some distance from that," Wellens says of the talented prospect. "Gerben was most in need and was the only one to make the crossing. Hopefully, he will return to Namur as a new rider.”

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"The difference with last year is clear: then the cross was a goal, now it is not" - Mathieu Heijboer not expecting cyclocross dominance from Wout van Aert