"I immediately thought of Michael Vanthourenhout, for whom this is tailor-made" - Belgium confident of 'making life difficult' Van der Poel at CX World Championships

There is no doubt about who will start at the man to beat at the 2025 Cyclocross World Championships in Lievin. Mathieu van der Poel has taken victory at all five of his races so far this winter and looks destined for a 7th Rainbow Jersey, but if anyone can stop the Alpecin-Deceuninck star, it's the Belgians who are arguably best placed.

"The lap is not super technical and the bends are long, it will be a test of strength for riders with a lot of substance," previews Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq in conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws, naming one man in particular who could challenge Van der Poel for the world title. "When I saw the course, I immediately thought of Michael Vanthourenhout, for whom this is tailor-made."

Although eight riders have been announced for selection for the Belgians in Lievin, one spot remains up for grabs. "The ninth man will be chosen after the Hoogerheide World Cup," De Clercq explains, after revealing Thibau Nys, Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck, Toon Aerts, Niels Vandeputte, Emiel Verstrynge and Joran Wyseure had all been selected alongside Vanthourenhout.

The challenge of taking on Van der Poel is not one faced lightly by De Clercq though. "Mathieu has the most class, but we hope to make life difficult for him with a collective block," he says. "If the course is dry, it is possible that the race will remain closed for a long time. The point is to be in the leading group with as many Belgians as possible in the first rounds and then play the team game in the final. Mathieu can also have a bad day."

Vanthourenhout also isn't the only capable challenger, with De Clercq also noting the capabilities of Thibau Nys. "He has just found excellent form in time and an extra weapon in his gear uphill, but every Belgian at the start is a podium candidate," he concludes. "At least six of them, those who have already won a top cross this season, can in principle also become world champions. Everything depends on the form of the day."