"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
Cyclocross
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."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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A class rider to win his first-ever @UCIcyclocrossWC 👏 Congratulations Pim Ronhaar 🥇 #CXWorldCup
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