"This is largely a threat" - Sven Nys reacts to David Lappartient's shocking statements

David Lappartient issued an interesting interview this weekend, having quite harsh and stern comments on the cyclocross field. He threatens to implement consequences for the riders who do not participate in World Cup events. Sven Nys has already commented on the shocking statements.

“If a cyclocross rider prefers a national competition while there is a World Cup, he will not participate in the next World Cup and therefore also not the cyclo-cross World Championships," Lappartient said in words to DirectVelo. "The World Cup is not a competition where you can choose what you want to ride. Everyone just has to participate.” This also came as a direct statement towards Nys' Baloise - Trek Lions team.

Lars van der Haar, current World Cup leader, has been one of the biggest critics of the expansion of the World Cup and has stated that he will skip several events. Thibau Nys, Sven's son, has been the breakthrough of the season and has decided to skip today's race in Dendermonde after racing yesterday. Lappartient, most likely trying to defend the interests of the UCI (who owns the World Cup), has questioned the decisions of Nys too. These riders, alongside other big figures of the sport, have recently been very vocal and clear on what the issues were, which seemed relatively ignored by the UCI president's statements.

“A bomb has been dropped, but the soup is never drunk as hot as it is poured. I think riders should have the right to make their own choices. Especially when it comes to young riders, because my own son is also mentioned here," Sven Nys told Wielerflits this morning. "There are many other riders who make choices and who occasionally skip a World Cup."

Lappartient talked about a possible solution towards foreign World Cups such as the creation of new local events that could support those, however his statements were largely leaning towards the idea of forcing riders into competing in all World Cups, on the possible consequence of not being allowed to race the World Championships.

Nys' reaction is conservative, he does not direct criticism directly: “A lot will be said about it in the coming weeks. It is not up to me to immediately give a counter reaction. We are going to let it sink in and above all not let ourselves be put under pressure.”

“I think that should be possible, but that is a discussion that we have to have at some point to optimize the sport. It's nothing for this year anyway. But we'll take a look. All we ask is consultation. This is largely a threat, and trying to raise your voice," he concluded.