"I put myself just behind the trio Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck" - Thibau Nys previews Belgian Championship

On Sunday, one of the most important races of the cyclocross calendar takes place as the men's Belgian National Championship title is handed out.

One of the pre-race favourites is Thibau Nys, although the Baloise - Trek Lions star is keen to ease the expectations surrounding him. "I put myself just behind the trio Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck," Nys previews in conversation with Sporza. "All three have returned to their level in recent weeks."

With those aforementioned names and plenty of outsiders that could threaten also, it really is an open race. "There are many candidates," Nys admits. "For me, the Belgian title is certainly not a must, but it would of course be very nice to be able to ride around with that tricolor jersey for a whole year."

"A lot will depend on the day itself. How will the course change? It is now thawing. What influence will this have on the surface in Meulebeke?" Nys concludes. "I like the circuit itself. With the adjustments they made for the Belgian Championship, maybe even a little more than before. There's everything in it. Stairs, beams, a sandbox and slopes and it's all not too exaggerated."