Laurens Sweeck looks back at last season: "I never saw winning the World Cup as an achievable goal"

Laurens Sweeck only completed his first full cyclocross of the season in the Druivencross of Overijse. The 29-year-old leader of Crelan-Corendon was forced to skip the World Cup in United States after a small injury from Beringen, but is now back, hoping to replicate as much of his 2022/23 season as possible.

Sweeck is hoping to get back to his top level as quickly as possible, which he seems to be on a good track of, considering his second place at Nacht van Woerden on Tuesday. Because after last season, which he claims was his best ever, expectations are high.

"That makes sense. I returned to Crelan-Corendon last year, where I gained the confidence to be the leader of the team. I don't know if that made it click for me, but the fact is that I have risen above myself. I never saw winning the World Cup as an achievable goal. I'd never even won a race before, huh. The fact that it finally worked out makes a difference in me," he told WielerFlits before Nacht van Woerden.

On the other hand, Sweeck also realizes that matching such a year will not be easy. "It was already better than anyone expected, including myself. Doing better seems difficult to me, but if we can work in the same direction, that would be great. Beforehand I was aiming for the Superprestige, World Cup and the championships. With these rankings it is often a matter of starting well and then seeing where you are after a few weeks. I prefer to keep my options open for as long as possible, because I noticed last season – when I lost the Superprestige in two races – that it can be over quickly."