"I think Thibau Nys has made the biggest step of anyone" - Laurens Sweeck blown away by progression of early World Cup leader

Although it may be early in the campaign, Thibau Nys has already impressed in the few cyclocross races he's competed at so far. It's not just the fans that are impressed either, fellow riders are beginning to realise the progression he has made.

"That actually doesn't surprise me," says Laurens Sweeck, the reigning UCI World Cup champion when quizzed about his prospects of defending his title and the rise of Thibau Nys by In de Leiderstrui. "I think both boys (Nys and Pim Ronhaar) have proven several times that they can do it, but the season has only just started. Anything can still happen. I think Thibau has made the biggest step of anyone this season."

Nys was the winner at the World Cup opener in Overijse as Sweeck who has been suffering with injury of late continues his return to top form. "I feel that the injury is over, although it may be a weak point. I was lucky that the injury was in my calf, so I could continue cycling at low intensity," he explains. "I could barely walk. If the tear had been in my hamstring, I might have fallen even further behind in training. At least it doesn't bother me anymore at the moment."

"I cannot reverse that loss of points. I just have to assume that everyone has a bad day somewhere and that mine is already over. It's just that I can't afford another misstep. For now, the plan is simply to start the World Cup as initially planned. The scoring also favours the winners. You can quickly reverse a backlog with very good results. Perhaps something is still possible," he concludes.