Leading up to the world cup cross in Heusden-Zolder today, Niels Albert spoke with Belgium newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. The 28-year old two-time world champion cyclocross made a surprising prediction.

When asked whether he sees Kevin Pauwels, the leader in the world cup this season, as the big favorite to become world champion next month, he decisively said no. 

“No. Zdenek Stybar will be world champion.”

Stybar announced a few weeks ago that he won’t be defending his world title in his own Tabor, because he wants to fully focus on the road season in 2015. Albert however doesn’t believe one word of what Stybar is saying.

“I simply can not believe that Stybar won’t show up for a world championship in front of his own people. On the same roads where he became world champion in 2010.”

“I think they [Stybar and Ettix-Quick Step] are fooling everybody. If they believe that Stybar has even a slight chance to win, he will definitely start.”