Iserbyt, Sweeck and Vanthourenhout "under no illusions" but hoping for surprise world title in Hoogerheide

The battle for the rainbow jersey at the men's Elite race at the Cyclocross World Championships is expected to be Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, however there will be plenty of outsiders and contenders for the medals. Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeeck have all shared their thoughts ahead of the big race.

“I'm under no illusions, I don't think I can win on Sunday," Iserbyt said in a press conference. "But bronze would also be nice, because a podium place at a World Championships is always something special. I'm certainly looking forward to it, the past few weeks have been going well, it would be nice to get a podium. But the differences between me and other guys like Laurens and Michael are not big.”

Laurens Sweeck and Michael Vanthourenhout that is. Between them is a win the World Cup, both Superprestige and X2O Trofee are also expected, alongside several wins throughout the year including against some of the 'big three'. Hence, in a race with national team dynamics and tricky conditions, it would not be a surprise to see one of them in fight for the win.

“When Wout and Mathieu look at each other, something is possible for me. But even when I go into the last lap with them, they always beat me in the sprint," Iserbyt continued. "On paper, the world title is possible, but in reality it is a utopia. At first I aim for the podium. I don't think it's more than a third place. It may be second place, but it is not that such a medal makes or breaks a season.”

World Cup winner Laurens Sweeck starts without pressure, having won the World Cup with a consistent and strong performance after having left Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal.

“More than that seems difficult to achieve. Mathieu and Wout are head and shoulders above the rest. Anyway, the cross still has to be ridden. But really nothing more this season. I've won a few nice races and I'm taking the final ranking in the World Cup. A medal would be nice, but it won't be easy," he said ahead of the race.

“Everything depends on how Wout is in the race, he is our strongest pawn anyway. But it is also possible that Wout and Mathieu will not get rid of each other and that the cross will then take a different turn. That's the time for us to attack. I expect a peloton in the first laps, with a lot of drumming and mishaps. It will be a matter of surviving that and then being well in the game," Sweeck suggested.

However they will also have company of European and Belgian champion Michael Vanthourenhout who will be yet another piece for the Belgians to succeed. Vanthourenhout has on multiple occasions been on a high level this season comparable to those ahead, however it will require a special day to beat the competition this weekend.

“Getting three jerseys would be great. But I don't think that will happen," he said. "Wout and Mathieu still stick out a bit. To beat those two, all the puzzle pieces really have to fit together. We must first and foremost ensure that we do not drive away from Wouts and support him."

“But there will also be opportunities for us, and then it is up to us to seize them. We have to take advantage of the moments when things come to a standstill. That is not only to our advantage, but also to Wout's. Maybe we can make Mathieu panic a bit if we are together with three or four Belgians," Vanthourenhout concluded.