Just like his training companion and close friend Sven Nys, Sven Vanthourenhout will retire after this season. "But after my active career, I will remain active in cyclocross," said the 35-year-old Belgian.

Sven Vanthourenhout turned pro in 2001 after he became U23 Belgian and world champion. At the pro level, he twice won bronze at a World Cup race, in 2004 and 2005. The 2004-2005 season was his best year with seven victories. Along the way, he picked up two bronze medals at the national championships in 2003 and 2008.

In recent years, he mainly played a role in the second line, but Vanthournhout was important as training partner and teammate for Sven Nys. Like his captain, Vanthournhout will retire after this season.

"For some time, it has been on my mind. I have considered some things carefully and now made my decision. I cannot ignore my age. As a 35-year-old, you are no longer the youngest of the pack and the generation change has also become a fact," Vanthournhout told Sporza.

"During the past few seasons I have been lucky to be able to make a great team together with Sven Nys. A unique experience that will end when Sven retires.

"Obviously I can not hide that my achievements are no longer what they were. That's no reason to stop, because I have always done my sport with the same passion and enthusiasm. Cycling has given me much and I will always be close to my the heart. I will always love the racing. "

How does Sven Vanthourenhout look at his time in the field? "My career has had ups and downs for several reasons: mistakes I made, injuries, recovery,... All these factors have made me richer," Vanthourenhout said.

Vanthournhout doesn't regard his imminent farewell as a goodbye to cyclo-cross."In the future I want to share my experience and knowledge. After my career I want to continue to work in cross. I also see how our sport has grown in the last 20 years. I want to help ensure that the evolution does not stop.

"I want to thank everyone who has given me the opportunity to build a great career as a rider: my family, Sven Nys, Jan Verstraeten and Paul Van Den Bosch, my sponsors and particularly Luc Versele of Crelan and all my supporters who have continued to support me. In the coming months, I will do the best, as I always did," Vanthourenhout said.