Klaas Vantornout is slowly climbing out of a big hole. "In the cross you can quickly get a reputation, but people do not know how the everyday life is," Vantornout tells Sporza.

Since last Sunday Klaas Vantornout has finally seen light at the end of the tunnel. He finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps after a period of misery.

"Mentally and physically it has been very difficult," says Vantornout. "But during that difficult period I've continued to train hard as I have always done throughout my career. I hope it will bear fruit.”

Mathieu van der Poel recently explained that there was but he only received support from one fellow rider during his rehabilitation. And this rider was Klaas Vantornout.

"Mathieu and I have a good relationship," says Vantornout. "Outside cyclo-cross we have the same interests. Previously, he maybe thought I was an ass-licker but now he has realized that I'm not.

"People only know me from the field and from here you quickly get a reputation, a reputation that I may even have enforced a bit.

"But people do not know how I know I am in my daily life. Mathieu knows me better now and he likes me. That makes me happy."

Klaas Vantornout also has a burning desire to still make something beautiful of this season. "We still have three months with lots of beautiful races," says the Belgian champion.

"But I do not think about the championships. It would just be nice to again ride near the front and have people encourage me and shout my name. That always gives a kick."