Just before the important Christmas season, Klaas Vantornout suffers from a viral infection. "This is very inconvenient," Vantornout said. "Maube I will have to withdraw from certain races between Christmas and New Year."

Last Wednesday Klaas Vantornout decided to skip the cyclo-cross race in Sint-Niklaas due to illness. His teammate Kevin Pauwels hoped that a few days of rest would be enough for him to return to his best. However, the situation is still bad for the Belgian.

"After my poor performance in Antwerp and Mol last weekend I knew that something was wrong," Vantornout told Sporza. "On Monday and Tuesday I did not I feel right and on Wednesday I was really ill.

"A visit to the doctor clarified things: I suffer from a viral infection. Rest is the only solution since antibiotics have no effect on a viral infection."

Today's Bpost race in Essen morning comes too early. And it is still questionable whether Vantornout will be able to defend his second place in the World Cup at Sunday's race in Namur.

"I still have two nights before I hope to be at the start in Namur. But that's only possible if everything goes well. Maybe I will have to skip some races between Christmas and New Year."