"Let's not forget there is more than just the top 10 in cyclo-cross" - sports director Gert Vervoort on the topic of World Cup reform

The discussion about reforming the World Cup is still too often dominated by the big names, sports director of the Proximus-Cyclis team, Gert Vervoort, tells WielerFlits in an interview.

"So far I only hear voices, both at the UCI and fellow team leaders, talking about the top 5 and top 10. Only the names of Thibau Nys, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Eli Iserbyt are mentioned, but let's take a look at the riders below. There is more than just the top 10 in cyclo-cross."

Vervoort finds it hard to create a path for his riders to ride World Cup races. "If you finish fifteenth here in Belgium, that barely earns you any UCI points. You just can't earn enough points here, even though you are riding well. That points system is completely skewed, because if you win that same weekend in, say, Romania, you will take the full prize."

"In addition, it is important to reduce the World Cup." That is of course what was already previously echoed by Sven Nys, Bart Wellens and Jurgen Mettepenningen. "A World Cup should be something unique. That is only possible with fewer races. Then it remains more feasible for everyone to make those journeys. Because unlike C2 crosses, the World Cups are worth it, because there is sufficient prize money. Also for riders outside the top 10."