For Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel is the rider to keep an eye on in Sunday's World Cyclo-cross Championships in Tabor (Cze). "Hopefully we can stay close to him," he says, thus pushing the role of favourite onto the Dutchman's shoulders. "I am going to give absolutely everything. Hopefully that gives a nice result."

"I'm among the better riders for Sunday," Wout van Aert told Sporza two days before the Worlds. "Everyone has the same concern: Van der Poel. Last Sunday he really stood out.

"Until last weekend many riders were at the same level. That hierarchy was destroyed in Hoogerheide. He will have to make the race. Hopefully we can stay close to him, especially in the beginning of the race.

"Last Sunday I was not bad, but I did not feel that great. I found it quite surprising to be one minute behind."

According to Mathieu's father Adrie van der Poel, van Aert tried to hide in that race. "Pffft. Everyone can have an opinion. I have also heard and read that. That is his opinion.

"I did not hold anything back. As for Hoogerheide, I did not try to hide. That would be stupid. I'm always motivated at the start of a World Cup race. There are not many left. And I was second."

Wout van Aert (20) is the outgoing world champion at the U23 level. "Anyone would find it normal if I defended that title. So I would not be able to enjoy it," he explains his choice to ride with the elite.

"If I deliever a good performance against, I'll get more satisfaction. At the U23 race, I would not have had not much more to look for. I already had the title.

"It is weird, but for the Worlds I've never had stress. Now again, I am relaxed. Maybe because I have no real ambition. I don't have to get a medal, I just have to be proud of myself.

"I want to ride as hard as possible. After an hour, I will be completely broken. And hopefully that gives a good result."