"Such decisions completely undermine the status of the World Cup" - Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal boss joins in criticism of the likes of Thibau Nys skipping upcoming World Cup round

In recent days, criticism has been growing within Cyclocross about the somewhat lackadaisical approach of some riders towards the World Cup. After UCI CEO Peter Van den Abeele raised concerns, Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal boss Jurgen Mettepenningen has joined the debate.

“The World Cup should be the most prestigious classification. Should, hey. But apparently, not everyone thinks the same, which I think is a real shame," Mettepenningen who combines his role at Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal with race organiser at Dendermonde, tells Wielerflits. "For me, as an organizer, it is a great honour to be part of the classification that is one level higher than the other races. As a team manager, I also see it that way. We look at the calendar primarily in relation to the World Cup, and only then do we discuss which races can be planned around it. Not everyone is on board with that story yet.”

The biggest name absent from the upcoming round of World Cup action is the winner of the season opener in Waterloo, Thibau Nys. "As an organizer, you already know in advance that Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel will not participate if you organize during this period of the year. But you still hope to be able to count on the riders who are available at that moment," laments Mettepenningen.

"Then you see that an important rider like Thibau chooses the Saturday Superprestige race over a World Cup round..." he concludes. "In that respect, I find the UCI's concerns very normal. Such decisions completely undermine the status of the World Cup.”