"I dare say that Eli will not match his previous season" - Cyclocross pundit doesn't believe in Eli Iserbyt's miraculous revival this winter anymore

Cyclocross is not the real thing without its Three Kings, but that doesn't take away from the spectacle of battles among "the rest" for most part of the season. Last year it was Eli Iserbyt who often came on top of the food chain, but the start of this winter didn't catch the Belgian champion in his best shape.

Iserbyt has only managed to win once this season. Only in Heerderstrand was the West Flemish from Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal the fastest. Niels Albert also does not see any immediate change in Iserbyt's situation. "I dare say now that Eli will not be able to match his season from last year," the ex-pro tells HLN.  

"We've been racing for a month and it's going to take another month or so before Wout van Aert and maybe Mathieu van der Poel start. Then part two of the racing season starts, with new relationships. Halfway through part one there are a few who won't be happy. I would even say: who have a problem."  

But Iserbyt is not the only rider of Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal who is having problems at the moment. Michael Vanthourenhout is also performing below expectations. "Michael was never a multiple winner, but now he even has trouble riding top five," according to Albert.

"Do you know why? Because there is a midfield in the cross again," Albert notices the new faces on top placings. "The young guys have taken a step. Niels Vandeputte, Joran Wyseure, Jente Michels, Gerben Kuypers: they are now in the mix. Not all of them every week, but they are a factor."