Mathieu van der Poel Sunday makes his long awaited return to cycl-ocross. The world champion will do his first race of the year on Sunday in Koksijde.

Currently, Van der Poel is preparing for Benicassim. "Over the past week I have done some long days on the bike," he wrote in his column in Het Nieuwsblad. 

"Endurance training of four and a half hour, for cross longer rides aren't necessary. But it allows me to make a broad base for more cross-specific training in the last week before Koksijde. In between that endurance training, I spend time mostly in the gym. I am very concentrated during, without much rest during the sessions. "

The younger Van der Poel is still recovering from the knee injury.

"There there is still accumulation of fluid. It doesn't hurt much although I have already emptied it twice. This past week I had Vincent Baestaens and Philipp Walsleben as workout companions, but training is not racing . I'm quite curious."

Van der Poel hopes for a top 10 in his return.

"I would be satisfied with that and it seems realistic."