Kevin Pauwels is the first Belgian who has checked the World Championships course in Tabor. Even coach Rudy De Bie jumped on his bike to ride laps on the Worlds circuit.

Yesterday it was expected that Tabor would wake up under a solid blanket of snow but that was not the case. "There is a lot of mud," Kevin Pauwels tells Sporza. "The snow has melted and turned into mud. I had preferred the course to be drier, but there is still a lot of change."

Pauwels makes Mathieu van der Poel slides the favorite. "Last Sunday in Hoogerheide he was really good and he will be here too." Will the barriers on the course play a role. "They are high, but Van der Poel and Meeusen may still be able to jump them."

Even coach Rudy De Bie had a look at the course. "In terms of toughness, surface and feeling, this course is similar to the circuit in Hoogerheide last week.

"There is not much more snow. One strip is still completely in the shade and it is still cold. But in the other sections you have to push hard and use your power."

It is also possible that there will be sunshine on Sunday. "The difference between the race Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon can be great. That's how it has been in Tabor in the past.

"Who is my favorite? If you've watched the race last Sunday, only Van der Poel can be. But also in the Belgian camp we have are riders who like to see this."