Mathieu Van der Poel wants to defend his Dutch cyclo-cross title in Hellendoorn. "But I have not thought much about it. The Worlds is more important." The BKCP leader also shares his view on the Belgian Championships in Lille. "It's a fast course, so it will be difficult for Wout van Aert to win easily."

Van der Poel is the top favorite in Hellendoorn but he also takes Lars van der Haar into account. "Just like me he has spent a week in Spain. We have to wait and see how he has digested this camp", van der Poel tells Sporza.

"Obviously I want to win the Nationals. It's not a small race. A championship race is always special. Still I have not thought much about it. It's fun and important to take that jersey, but the World Championships in Zolder is the priority.

"The course in Hellendoorn suits me. There is almost no mud and it's a fast circuit with a large pit. It's a bit like Zonhoven. But if I'm good, I can win anywhere.

"I have done a lot of hard training in Spain and feel that I really needed it in view of the Worlds. I even skipped the rest days and to win I went to sleep tired and broken. I feel it is still in the legs, but in the coming weeks it will prove its usefulness. "

Van der Poel shared his view on the Belgian championships. " Wout van Aert is top favorite. Wout starts as top favourite everywhere and it is a race like any other."

"It's an advantage that he rides at home. There will be more people from the neighborhood to watch and it will certainly encourage him. However, I personally think that Sven Nys will be close to the Belgian title. The competition in Leuven was certainly not a place to gauge anyone. I expect a lot from him in Lille.

"Also Kevin Pauwels and Tom Meeusen will play an important role. The course is fast, so it is difficult for Wout to just win that race.

"To me it does not matter who wins the Belgian championships. Van Aert will be the deserved winner. But  whether he wins or not will not affect his world championships."