After his poor performance last weekend, Sven Nys did better in today's World Cup race in Milton Keynes. Due to bad luck at the start, he finished 8th but he left the race with a good feeling.

Sven Nys crashed in the first lap of the World Cup race in Milton Keynes. The Belgian champion managed to pass lots of riders and finished the race in 8th. "After last week, this gives me a good feeling," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

After a bad weekend (8th in Francorchamps, 15th in Koksijde), Ny started the race in Milton Keynes without ambition. The Belgian champion who rode with a cyclocross camera on his bike for the first time, mainly wanted to find a good feeling in the race on English soil. He didn't do so immediately as he was in chase mode right from the start.

"It was hard fighting at the start to be the first to get through that turn," Nys said after the finish. "Then my chain fell off and blocked the bike. Luckily it didn't break. Then I started a long chase but I have no excuses. I must say that I was poor and could not come back, that's how it is."

After his crash, Nys made a strong comeback but in the end he had to give up.

"In the front group, there is always a bit of hesitation. Everyone wants to save something for the final lap so there is a bit of looking around. I chased for the whole race and tried to ride at the same pace. That went well until the final lap. Then it was clear that I had lost too much strength. I had no ambition to win here today. This race gives me a good feeling. I am satisfied, especially after what I experienced last week. In Hamme, I go to the start with the same purpose: to do my best and try to do a good race. I also start that race without ambition," Nys said.