Niels Albert insists Wout van Aert wouldn't have started CX World Championship if he didn't believe he could win: "I am convinced of that"

Wout van Aert has certainly shaken up the cyclocross world following the announcement earlier this week, that the Team Visma | Lease a Bike star is set to travel to France for the 2025 Cyclocross World Championships. According to double Rainbow Jersey winner Niels Albert, Van Aert wouldn't have made the last minute call unless he truly believed he could beat Mathieu van der Poel.

"We were all preparing for a boring race. With a good Wout van Aert we still hope to see an exciting race. And if possible, one that will have us on the edge of our seats," previews Albert, cyclocross world champion in 2009 and 2012, in conversation with Sporza. “In recent weeks he will have felt that there is power in his legs and that he has a chance. Wout will really have the idea that he can become world champion for the fourth time. I am convinced of that."

Although Van Aert might well believe he can beat Van der Poel, actually doing so is a very challenging prospect. "Without Wout van Aert he (Van der Poel ed.) would have won easily," says Albert. "His basic pace was enough for the world title, with a good Van Aert that should be different."

Nevertheless, Albert doesn't see Van der Poel raising the alarm because of Van Aert's involvement. "It doesn't change his form, but he'll think about it," Albert analyses. "How good is Wout going to be? Am I going to let him go easily? Do I need to adjust my tactics a bit? Mathieu can think about that, but he won't be thrown off balance... Mathieu could end up with 10 world titles in his career. Phenomenal."

If the two superstars are battling for the Rainbow Jersey, that then leaves just one spot on the podium remaining. "The form of the day will be decisive for the third spot. Joris Nieuwenhuis can certainly handle the course, as can Joran Wyseure, Toon Aerts, Lars van der Haar and Michael Vanthourenhout. The finish in Liévin is slightly uphill, which suits Michael," Albert concludes. "I don't know if Thibau Nys will be on the podium on Sunday, but he can certainly make it into the top 5 in Liévin."