"I think it's nice that he dares to play all or nothing and go for it" - Lars van der Haar appreciates his teammate Thibau Nys

Lars van der Haar was one of the main protagonists of Sunday's World Cup cross in Overijse. The Dutch champion was able to come back to the fight for victory when the pace at the front faded, but turned out to be weakest of the leading four. Late fall of his teammate meant Van der Haar finished third at the end of the day.

"Thibau didn't push at the end, so I actually got third place as a gift," he said in the flash interview afterwards, pointing out that his teammate Thibau Nys dropped out after a fall in the final phase.

"It's also beautiful in itself. He got the gift from me in Beringen, now I'm getting it back. I think we saw clearly today who is the very best," Van der Haar again refers to his teammate Nys. "It's a shame that he falls, but I think it's nice that he dares to play all or nothing and go for it. I like that."

Finally, Van der Haar was asked whether he was able to communicate with Nys during the cross. "That is possible, but for some reason I really don't need that with Thibau. Thibau and I can really read and write together. One look is enough. I think Thibau already has great insight into racing at his age. He understands exactly what I do and I understand exactly what he does. That makes it very easy."