Kevin Pauwels is preparing himself for Sunday's Belgian Championships in Mallorca. "If I never become Belgian champion, then so be it," Pauwels tells Sporza.

Kevin Pauwels travelled to Mallorca the day after the New Year's race in Baal to be in the Spanish sunshine when he prepares for the national championships on Sunday in Lille.

Pauwels who will return to Belgium tomorrow, benefited a lot from a training camp in Spain earlier in the season and hopes to repeat the recipe of success for the national championships.

"The feeling in the last two race (in Loenhout and Baal) was not good," said Pauwels from Spain. "Especially in Baal, I had pain in my back.

"This remains a difficult issue although I have less trouble than before. In Baarl I think it was caused simply byt the many successive event. I especially remember that I was very good in Zolder and Diegem.

"I hope to be so strong again on Sunday. Naturally Van Aert is the big favorite. I have no plan, but I will do my best to beat him. Like the others, I just need to try to follow Wout. Otherwise it will be a boring race."

The 31-year-old Kevin Pauwels has never worn the Belgian drikleur in the pro races. "But I do not feel any pressure on my shoulders," said the leader of Marlux-Napoleon Games.

"If I never become Belgian champion, then so be it. Wout is the top favorite and after him, Nys, Meeusen and I have an equal chance to get that title."