Next Sunday Lars Boom will start the Cyclo-Cross World Championships for the first time since 2009 in Hoogerheide. The former world champion is in the selection of coach Johan Lammerts.

Boom rode last week's Tour Down Under. He will fly from Australia to the Netherlands. "The coach has included me in the selection for the Worlds. I am happy, "Boom tells De Telegraaf. "This week, I hope that the last pain disappears so I that I will be fit at the start in Zolder."

"I selected Lars based on his past as a cyclo-cross rider," says Lammerts. "He is a former world champion at the U23 and elite levels. Despite his bad races during his return in December, I want to give him this opportunity. "

Dutch team for the Worlds:

Thijs van Amerongen, Lars Boom, Stan Godrie, Lars van der Haar, Corné van Kessel, Mathieu van der Poel, David van der Poel, Niels Wubben