Sven Nys beat Wout van Aert in the 2014 Jaarmarktscross in Niel. Since then Nys has been quiet. For the first time in his career the best cyclo-cross rider ever has endured 12 months without taking a single victory. Tomorrow Van Aert and Lars van der Haar will be asent from the 2015 edition of the race in Niel. Does 39-year-old Nys still have the desire and the strength to finish on the highest step of the podium?

Paul Van Den Bosch, Sven Nys' coach, has no doubt: "Definitely yes," he tells Het Nieuwsblad. "That it hasn't happened yet is due to two factors. One: the competition is at a high level. Van Aert is currently exceptionally strong. And in Ruddervoorde he was up against an extraordinary Pauwels. But I do not know if Van Aert can sustain this levelan entire winter. Niels Albert started with a ten out of ten but could not maintain his level.

"Two: the weather is Sven's disadvantage. The heat and dry conditions are agint him. In Ruddervoorde you saw him falter under the influence of the temperature. Everyone seems to forget that even the best Nys did not win easily in this period of the season under such circumstances. For Sven, the season really starts when it gets colder.

"Physically Sven still has the potential to win races. And he will win this season but I cannot predict how often. His physical tests are still great and even the explosiveness has not decreased because of his age. It only affects his ability to recover.

"Sven realizes that his career no longer hinges on a few more victories. But it is impossible to go to the start without the will to win. We will do everything to win. And as often as possible. That is the mentality of Sven Nys and it has made him the athlete he is today. "