Ryan Kamp will enter the World Cup in Val di Sole with a fresh win under his belt: "I have been feeling good for some time now, but a win close to home is always nice"

Ryan Kamp has taken his first victory of the season. The 22-year-old Dutchman from Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal can travel to the World Cup in Val di Sole with a good feeling, after he was the best in the evening cross in Rucphen on Thursday.

"I have been feeling good for some time now, but a win close to home is always nice. My coach, Camiel van den Bergh, organizes the cross in Rucphen, and that makes it twice as much fun for me to ride. You make several people happy with it, so I am happy to be at the start," Kamp tells WielerFlits.

Kamp, the 2020 U23 World champion, is continuously building himselt a permament spot in the top 10 this season, but only took his first podium result in Rucphen. "I'm just missing that half a percent to be able to compete with the top 5 every week," says Kamp. "On the other hand, last Sunday in Flamanville I had a really bad day. If you finish eighth even then, you can say that you are working on a consistent year. That is perhaps the biggest difference compared to a year earlier."

Kamp has a clear plan for the rest of the season. "The World Cup in particular is highly regarded by me. Normally I don't skip any rounds. After that I want to peak at the championships. I am someone who often gets even better after the busy Christmas period, but towards the National Championships it can also be seen how Pim, Lars van der Haar and Joris Nieuwenhuis continue to ride. I will meet a strong block of Baloise Trek Lions."