Sven Nys expects open battle between his riders in the men race at Dutch National Championships: "I currently rate all three at the same level"

Since this season, the Netherlands gained several top cyclo-cross riders, so the battle for the national title is more open than ever. Baloise - Trek Lions manager Sven Nys puts his riders Pim Ronhaar, Joris Nieuwenhuis and Lars van der Haar - expected protagonists of the race - on the same level.

"It doesn't happen very often yet, but Pim is getting closer. Especially compared to Wout van Aert," Nys analyzes. "He even defeated him in the sand of Koksijde, even though it was still exciting at the end. You see a lot of regularity from Pim. If he comes on a course where the surface is heavy, in combination with his sand passages, you get such results."

With great victories of this winter, Nys can look back on a strong season for Baloise Trek Lions. Shouldn't that include a title? "We can certainly be happy with what we have achieved. It would be great if we won a title and we will be close to it in Netherlands. We have several riders with whom we have a chance. Lucinda can also aim for the podium in the ladies, but is that enough to win?"

Who is the favorite among men in Hoogeveen? "It is a course that is almost never used for racing. The weather is also going to change. That could completely turn the National Championship upside down. I currently rate all three at the same level. It depends on the day and the route. Let's hope that it will be a fair battle on Sunday and that the best will win," the manager concludes.