Wout van Aert has spent the past few days in serenity as he goes into the Belgian championships as the big favourite. “I have a good week behind me,” he said. “I’ve been lucky that my cold never got worse. I feel like I am on top.”

Last week Wout van Aert was in Spain, but the past few days he was back to get used to the Belgian cold. "I have a good week behind me,” he told Sporza.

"On Wednesday I did a workout with Rob Peeters in the forests of Conroe. It felt good to be on the cross bike again.

"Thursday and Friday I trained behind the scooter. Saturday I will  do intensive training to bring the legs under some pressure.

On Tuesday, van Aert said that he was suffering from a small cold. However, that is no longer a problem. "I've been treated well and the cold never got any worse. I think I've had some luck. At the moment, I feel at my best.”

Despite the role of favorite, van Aert has no stress. "I do not know what will happen on Sunday, but right now I feel calm. Of course I will have some nervousness on the day. That's the most normal thing in the world."

Van Aert has not had the chance to check the course but that doesn’t bother him. "Niels Albert has briefed me well, using a homemade video. I know what I need to know. The course suits me.

"It's tough, but that means that the best will win. That’s what I prefer. Then it’s also easier to accept a defeat. It’s better than too much tactical stuff.”