"You can come up with all kinds of tactics but in the end it rarely works out" - Dutch coach hopes his riders can benefit from potential Belgian infighting at upcoming Cyclocross European Championships

On November 5th, the Cyclocross European Championships are on the calendar. Reigning champion Michael Vanthourenhout will be part of an incredibly strong Belgian team but Dutch coach Gerben de Knegt remains hopeful of upsetting the odds.

"It has its charm, such a European Championship," De Knegt tells In de Leiderstrui. "It has been the first weekend of November for years, everyone knows that. All those riders can't do everything, so I actually think it's a benefit that it's so early in the season. Otherwise, everything concentrates on the period around the New Year."

As mentioned, the Belgian team will begin as favourites. But with the likes of Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt and Thiabu Nys all certainly holding hopes of victory for themselves, de Knegt is hopeful his riders can take advantage of any potential infighting to secure victory.

"Thibau is not in the camp of Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal, who are his fellow countrymen after all. We can only use that to our advantage," says the Dutch national coach. "It could all play a role. If Iserbyt is gone, Vanthourenhout will not drive and Nys cannot actually drive either. But I do wonder whether he won't do that. The Belgians are usually the least aligned. You can come up with all kinds of tactics and stories, but in the end it rarely works out."