Initially, there was no room for Klaas Vantornout in the cyclocross race in Ardooie. But when Sven Nys withdrew from the race, the organization decided to contact him. "With such a short notice, I could not get there on time. Furthermore, my mechanics were not at work."

Klaas Vantornout has won the Kermiscross in Ardooie the last two years but in 2015 the Sumweb rider was not invited. The organizers could not pay his entry fee.

But yesterday afternoon Belgian champion Sven Nys was and cancelled his participation. Suddenly, there was a spot for Vantornout. 

"Yes, they have called me," he tells Het Nieuwsblad.

The call came around 12:30. "So shortly before the start, I could never get there on time. My mechanics had asked for a day off and had to go back to work. I cannot drive the mobile home myself as I don't have a license for that.

"I had already planned a tough workout that day. So I have kindly refused the invitation."