"The level is very high not only among the first" - Marianne Vos looking to return to big wins in Maasmechelen

Marianne Vos has returned to Cyclocross earlier this week at the Nacht van Woerden with a strong second place behind Blanka Kata Vas. She is having several races now in the upcoming weeks which she will be targeting, with today's Maasmechelen World Cup the first.

She will then ride the European Championships in Namur, and the following World Cup round in Beekse Bergen, in the Netherlands. “I am looking forward to this race. World Cup competitions in the Netherlands are extra special. Especially now that I can start in the rainbow jersey," she commented on the race that will take place in the 13th of November.

Vos had had little preparation towards these in comparison to many of her rivals, such as Fem van Empel who has been dominating the women's field this year, but has proven in the past that she doesn't require a long calendar to reach her best form.

"There are only important races coming up now. I think I'm conditionally ready. I've seen that you really have to be at your very best level to be able to compete for the win. The level is very high not only among the first, but also just behind them," she concluded.