Vanthourenhout believes "maybe we overdid it a bit" after fading to 5th placed finish at Cyclocross World Championship

Michael Vanthourenhout has revealed his contentment with a fifth-placed finish at the Cyclocross World Championships despite it having looked like the reigning European Champion would do even better.

For much of the race in Hoogerheide, it had looked like Vanthourenhout would finish on the podium. Although that ultimately wasn't possible, the Belgian believes he at least knows where his potential bronze medal was lost.

"That was because I don't like racing in a group. I wanted to ride for the bronze early on. But maybe we overdid it a bit. The headwind made it difficult to stay in front of the chasing group,” Vanthourenhout revealed. “Gerben (Kuypers) had just a little too little left to make head turns, so I had to go over my limits against the wind. Then I knew it would be difficult for bronze. It is also nice that Eli takes the bronze.”