Mathieu van der Poel will not be at the start in Baal at tomorrow's seventh round of the Bpost Bank Trofee series. "I want to work on my base in Spain to return even stronger at the Dutch championships (January 10, ed)," said the world champion.

With victories in Namur, Heusden-Zolder and Diegem's Mathieu van der Poel has been cyclo-cross rider of the last two weeks.

But on New Year's day, the fans will miss him at the GP Sven Nys in Baal. "In recent weeks my results were excellent," Van der Poel told Het Nieuwsblad.

"But I've said it before: I can not continue my attacks. Here in Spain I now want to work in peace."

"Under the Spanish sun, I want to improve my base with longer workouts so that I can return stronger at the Dutch championships."

One rider who will be at the start is Klaas Vantornout. "Because I want to please my new sponsor Marlux," said the Belgian champion. "And after my failed first half of the season I want to also show myself as much as possible myself."