"I thought a few times about turning left, but it is a World Championship after all" - 36th David Haverdings finished in Tábor despite back problems

Not every member of the Dutch national team had a perfect day on the bike in Tábor. Such was the case for David Haverdings. One of the best U23 riders of this cyclocross season was eventually slowed down by back problems at the World Championships and finished far from the places of glory.

"I had the hope that things would go well, but you quickly feel whether things are going well or not. When you are overtaken and you really want to keep up, but it just doesn't work out... it breaks you down," he tells In de Leiderstrui.

"It was a long, tough race, especially mentally. I just couldn't force myself to cycle fast and my back just wasn't going to work either, so you end up here," he said about his 36th place.

Regardless, Haverdings still decided to honor the race and therefore continue to the end. "I thought a few times about turning left, but it is a World Championship after all. I have gained another experience."