"I can definitely go to America with confidence" - Michael Vanthourenhout showing great form and aiming high in first World Cup rounds

With the absence of some of the names that are still finishing their road season, Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal have been dominating the cyclocross season as they've taken the three Belgian races so far, with Michael Vanthourenhout emerging victorious in Meulebeke yesterday.

“We once again played the team game well. Together with Eli Iserbyt, I was able to wear out the opposition," the Belgian said in a post-race interview. Taking advantage of a mechanical problem from Laurens Sweeck, Vanthourenhout and Iserbyt only found the competition of Lars van der Haar in the final laps, but the 28-year old had the best legs on the day.

Whilst Iserbyt covered the Dutchman, Vanthourenhout was able to ride into his second win of the season, following the season opener in Kruibeke. “I felt really good before the start of the cross. The exploration taught me that there was something in it. It may have looked easy, but it wasn't. I had to attack a few times before I could make a gap," he described.

"First Laurens Sweeck made my life miserable and then Lars van der Haar came up with me. I also had a problem with him. In the last two laps I gave everything I could, with success," Vanthourenhout added.

With the World Cup having it's first round next week in Waterloo - with Fayetteville the week after - Vanthourenhout is ready to be aiming for the victories there. “After two victories and a second place in three races I can definitely go to America with confidence. The team decided to travel a little later. That way we can train a little more. That's not really what it comes down to. It will be busy training days before we are on the plane," he concluded.