"These top rider do not choose their program based on the financial aspects" - Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert may earn up to €20.000 in cyclocross race starting fees

Starting fees are not an unfamiliar sight within cyclocross, specially when it comes to the big stars. A report has suggested what the current numbers are for race organizers to convince the top riders in the field to take part in their race.

"These negotiations are done through us," Erwin Vervecken, the responsible for the startlists of the X2O Badkamers Trofee, told Het Nieuwsblad who looked closely into the numbers. "These top rider do not choose their program based on the financial aspects, but purely on the basis of what the ideal program is in the run-up to the spring, in consultation with their trainer."

It is noteworthy that at the end of the day, the competitive value of the races is the most important aspect for virtually all athletes. Participations in the World Cup, Superprestige and X2O Badkamers Trofee races have different degrees of importance for them. As the riders head now into the packed and very popular Christmas block and the 'big three' of men's cyclocross are back in the bunch, record audiences are expected in the field.

The Belgian newspaper suggests that race organizers, who pay out of their own pocket, may pay as much as €20.000 for the appearance of Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock, €5.000 for the likes of Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck, and €2.500 for rising star Thibau Nys.