"It will no longer be for the win, but for the podium" - Eli Iserbyt not looking to 'waste my strength' when the 'big three' begin cyclocross season

Eli Iserbyt has been on a good run this season, currently leading the Superprestige and World Cup the Belgian will likely have that as his main goal to sustain throughout the rest of the season, as fighting for victories will become difficult with the comeback of Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock.

“It will no longer be for the win, but for the podium. I am realistic about that," Iserbyt told VTM following his win in Flamanville. The Belgian has been in the field for several years but believes that he will not be able to match the riders that are now coming in to rival him in the main races. In the past he has matched them, but not often, and sometimes it became costly to try and do so early in the races. Most likely, he will try to remain consistent and race for points as he looks to keep his cup leads.

The 26-year old has won six races this year and that includes the two French World Cups. Victory wise he's had a lot of success. Now a different phase of the season begins. "I've been pursuing a utopia for four years, but in the end, fairy tales remain fairy tales. I want to, but it has already been so much and so difficult that I am not going to waste my strength unnecessarily," Iserbyt is honest.

As Wout van Aert resumes racing this next weekend in Essen, and Tom Pidcock comes in the next week, we'll have new figures towards the front of the men's races. During the Christmas block specially all three will be back to racing and pursuing reputable wins. The seasoned cross riders in the meantime feel fatigue quite a bit, as is shown by Thibau Nys who is taking a break from the discipline after suffering from back pain.