For the first time in more than nine decades, the World Championships are taking place in the Middle East, with Qatar set to play host for the competition. The event will kick off this week-end, with the team time trial race, where fifteen 6-man outfits will fight for the top 3 places.

A world champion in the team time trial race with Etixx – Quick-Step in 2012 and 2013, Niki Terpstra is expected to be among the six riders who will start the 40km-long event, during which the outfit will try to recapture the world title. With less than 48 hours to go until the start of the race, the 31-year-old Dutchman sat down for a Q&A session with his team

"During our sessions at the Ursel airfield, we focused on the roundabouts and corners, but also on the way we communicate during the race. When it comes to such a demanding discipline, you have to be focused at all times, feel how your teammates are going and take decisions in a second based on what's happening on the road, and last week's training helped us a lot in this regard," he said.

"It's a typical parcours for this country, with long straights, which will make for some high speeds, and a technical section in the final part. You need horsepower for this race, but also to play it smart until the very end, as the heat is going to be a factor. The race will be pretty close and we mustn't underestimate any of our opponents, because they are all going to bring their A-game."

On Friday the team trained on the course.

"It was important to do it and get used to the heat, and at the same time to get the pulse of things and feel how fast you can and should go. Tomorrow, the circuit will be traffic-free and and it will be very important to go out there and make the most out of this training. After such a session, you talk with your teammates, ask "Did I do anything wrong?" or "Did I start too fast or too slow?" and know which aspects you can improve," he said.

Terpstra knows what will be the key ingredient to success.

"To be united and show a big team spirit. These factors can make the difference at the end of the day. We worked together, we are at a high level and very confident that a big result is up for grabs," he said.

The Etixx-QuickStep line-up has not been announced yet.