"I personally recommend Lars van der Haar" - Toon Aerts talks favourites for Cyclocross Europeans, memories from Pontchâteau and comeback

In 2016 Pontchâteau hosted the Cyclocross European Championships and seven years later the same takes place. A track that is not frequently used at the highest level it comes as a bit of a change for the riders who will fight for gold, and Toon Aerts discusses

“On Sunday, national coach Sven Vanthourenhout sent me a message about Pontchâteau. Then I realize once again that it all started there. I achieved my first major victory among the pros there in 2016. That was my luck, although for me it was not a purely tactical cross," Aerts told Sporza. “There was a race behind me, but I had to ride a tough time trial myself. It's a shame that I have to miss this European Championship. Pontchâteau is close to my heart. I also have good memories of it from my youth. I was also disappointed last year at the European Championship. That was in Namur, also on a course where I always feel comfortable.”

Aerts was suspended for the use of Letrozole and is missing out on virtually the entire winter of racing. He's a keen observer of his past - and possibly future - rivals, and believes that the French course will suit a few figures in particular: “You have the height difference, but it will by no means be a slog cross. It will be a bit greasy, but it won't be a running cross. I personally recommend Lars van der Haar. Be sure to listen to what he said in his interview after the [Koppenberg]cross. He indicated that he actually had a surplus. He only pulled through once just before the finish and he came very close to Thibau Nys."

"I will watch on Sunday anyway. I watch every cross, directly or later in the evening. I can not resist. It continues to interest me. I don't just do it to know the results, I also do it to study things. When I saw how Nys took the corners on the Koppenberg: I watched such a technique with my mouth open," he says. The Belgian, winner in Waterloo and Koppenbergcross, is also widely argued as a big favourite for the win this Sunday.

As for Aerts himself, he is likely to still have a taste of racing this winter. This will happen only in late February however at the very end of the season, but he is eager to return to the field after his suspension. “There is still some work to be done, yes. It becomes especially difficult to find a competitive rhythm. I have to force that on my own. I recently took a test and I know what my level is. That is not a level to compete for a win, but it is something I can build on."

"It is especially important to be there again, but I am training to be top in those 3 crosses. I'll start at the back of the pack anyway, but I want to show myself. I want to show who Toon Aerts is in Sint-Niklaas, Brussels and Oostmalle. I don't have a team yet, but I hope to sign it in a few days. It's still a bit of a wait and see. It will be alright."