Two weeks after his knee surgery, Mathieu van der Poel prepares his return to the field. "I want to be back at the World Cup race in Koksijde," said the Dutchman.

Yesterday 20-year-old Mathieu van der Poel was present at Casino Kursaal in Ostend to recive the trophy for Flandrien of the Field as the best cyclo-cross rider of the past season. "This is very special, this award is a great recognition of my season," said Van der Poel, who beat Wout van Aert in the voting.

"My Worlds title has been the decisive factor. Over the entire season, van Aert was perhaps stronger andmore consistent. But I was in top form at the right time."

Meanwhile, Van der Poel is pushing to get back on the road. Two weeks ago he was operated on his left knee in Herentals. The two upper blades on its patella tendon were removed.

"Last Monday I started the rehabilitation. It is difficult. Today I did five minutes cycling on the exercise bike with the physiotherapist. I don't feel pain anymore. I have fixed the World Cup race on November 22 in Koksijde as the date to make my comeback.

"I will certainly not force anything, though this is not easy. In recent weeks I have watched a few races, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do that. It's starting to itch."