For the second year in a row, Kevin Pauwels finished second behind Lars van der Haar in the World Cup opener in Valkenburg. The Belgian suffered from stomach cramps in the hot conditions but admitted that van der Haar had been the strongest rider in the race.

Like last year, Kevin Pauwels was second in the World Cup opener in Valkenburg.

"I had cramps in my stomach, but that's no excuse," he told Sporza. "There was not much to do against Lars van der Haar. He was clearly the strongest.

"Perhaps the cramps are related to the heat. I already suffered in Erpe-Mere.. You need to drink a lot which perhaps explains the abdominal problems. I had to go too deep to follow Lars."