Sven Nys was close to the third win of his season when he was narrowly beaten at the Bpost Bank Trofee race in Essen after a great duel with Wout van Aert.

"You know that last mud section is a crucial point," Nys told Het Nieuwsblad after the race. "It was everything or nothing. I was on the inside, but I was completely stuck in the mud. I gambled and lost, but I am satisfied with my race. I applied some pressure and made the race. With Mathieu, we could have made it hard."

This year has been much better for Nys than last season.

"There was a very small difference between winning and losing today. Actually, it was very fast. There were two sections of twenty meters where you had to push. At my age I need to develop a pace where I have little difficulty in following and that seemed to be working well today. Last year I was at the back here and reached the lowpoint of my season. I have the impression that my condition is improving."

Does he want to become world champion in his final season?

"I think everyone wants to become world champion, that's not different for me but you have to live from week to week. I should be able to win another race if I can keep riding like this. It again depends on details and I'll do have to deal with three of the big four. On Monday, I go back to Mallorca and then we are ready for the Christmas season. "