"There is always some healthy stress, just like the first day of school" - Iserbyt reflects on Cyclocross season opener

Despite having to settle for 2nd place behind his teammate Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt was upbeat when reflecting on the start of the Cyclocross season at the Exact Cross Kruibeke.

Starting the season on a slippery course, the Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal rider admitted that even though he is the current UCI Cyclocross World Cup champion, he still gets pre-race butterflies, “There is always some healthy stress, just like the first day of school" he confessed.

Concerns over a potential back injury meant that the 24-year-old Belgian didn't have an ideal preparation. Iserbyt revealed as much, saying “I've been struggling with my back, so I'm a bit behind until mid-July. In the summer I tried to make up for that, but we always have to wait and see how that pays off. So far the feeling is ok and my back is not bothering me, I am satisfied with that.”

It was a great weekend for the Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal team, a one-two finish in the men's elite race was aided by finishes of 1st and 3rd in the women's race from Fem van Empel and Denise Betsema respectively.