On Saturday, Sven Nys has the chance to win the famous Koppenbergcross for the 10th time. Having trained in Mallorca, the veteran feels ready to go for glory in one of the most prestigious races on the calendar.

Saturday is D-day for Sven Nys. The 38-year-old Belgian has a chance to win the Koppenbergcross for the tenth time. "I'll give myself two chances to take that tenth victory. And Saturday is one of them," he tells Het Nieusblad.

To prepare for the race. King Koppenberg has spent the last two weeks in Mallorca. The traing was interruptd by the two races in Kruibeke and Meuelebeke last weekend.

"Although I did not win, I had a good feeling in both races. A heavy cross (Kruibeke, ed.) and a fast cross (Meulebeke, ed.) were exactly what I needed for the Koppenbergcross. That race remains special to me. And I feel I'm ready."

Only the weather makes Nys slightly worried. 

"I prefer to ride the Koppenbergcross in bad weather conditions. Then my big engine comes in handy and there is a natural selection. But dry weather and pleasant temperatures are forecasted. This automatically creates more contenders as it was the case last year when it was only full gas in the final lap.But it makes no sense to complain about the weather. After all I have also won the Koppenberg in dry conditions."

The Koppenbergcross is the second round of the bpost Bank trophy. In the standings Nys leads after his victory in Ronse with an advantage of 1'05 "over Mathieu Van der Poel, but the young Dutchman does not start in Oudenaarde and will take a free fall in the standings. The nearest chaser is Klaas Vantornout at 1'19 ". 

"And I want to keep that lead. On Saturday it is about more than just the win. You have to fight for the classification until the end. That I can win for a tenth time is an extra motivation. I'd be lying if I claimed not to have that in my head," Nys says.