"We might get a race for the silver and bronze quite soon" - Thibau Nys can see Mathieu van der Poel making early attack at Cyclocross World Championships

The men's elite Cyclocross World Championships take place in Tabor this afternoon. Starting as the overwhelming favourite is Mathieu van der Poel.

“After five or six corners we will know whether Mathieu van der Poel wants to be rid of everything and everyone as quickly as possible. Then we might get a race for the silver and bronze quite soon," analyses one of the Dutchman's rivals for the Rainbow Jersey, Belgium's Thibau Nys in conversation with Wielerflits. "You can write out 101 scenarios, but then things can go differently during the cross itself. I don't want to worry about it too much."

Despite van der Poel being widely expected to take a comfortable victory, Nys remains quietly confident of being able to stay competitive. "I want to focus on getting to the start as best as possible," he explains. "If I have a day like in Benidorm or Hoogerheide, I can go very far. I can take charge in any situation if I have the legs."