"Please don't ride for second place from the start" - Wout van Aert does not want to see Belgium giving Mathieu van der Poel no competition at World Championships

Ahead of the World Championships in Hulst, Wout van Aert had a conversation with Belgian commentators Niels Albert and Paul Herygers where he shared insight into his potential participation in the race before his injury, and also what must be done in order to have the chance to even challenge Mathieu van der Poel on a course that looks tailor-made for him.

Van Aert was the only rider who, besides van der Poel's opening race in Namur (where Thibau Nys was at a similar level, but due to different reasons as the World Champion was starting his season) managed to put on a fight to the Dutchman.

At the Azencross Loenhout he attacked, but two punctures derailed a fight with van der Poel as the Dutchman then rode comfortably to victory; and at their next battle at the Exact Cross Mol, under a snowstorm, van der Poel attacked but was then caught by the Belgian.

But van Aert then suffered a crash and his injuries meant he would have to undergo an ankle surgery and end his cyclocross season. It was another premature end to a build that had been rising. Van Aert had in mind potentially racing the World Championships this weekend, but the idea never left the paper.

"I would only have given the World Championship a chance if I had a realistic chance of winning the world title and had already won a few times against Mathieu over the Christmas period," the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider admitted.

In his absence, it will most likely be Tibor del Grosso, van der Poel's teammate and compatriot, who will be finishing the men's elite race the closest. From the Belgians, most likely a medal is the maximum they can hope for.

But Van Aert hopes to see them put on a fight and not go into management mode right from the start of the race. "Please don't ride for second place from the start. I'd rather Thibau [Nys] and Niels [Vandeputte] try to follow Mathieu and perhaps push the limits rather than focus on the podium from the start," he argues.

The Belgian has high hopes that Nys specifically can perform. "Thibau already holds European and Belgian titles and a World Championship medal as a professional. It will stay with him much longer if he tries to follow Mathieu for three laps at this World Championship than if he races for the silver or bronze medal right from the start."