On Saturday Lars Boom will return to cyclo-cross after a long absence. Sporza has asked Wout van Aert, Niels Albert, commentator Paul Herygers and national coach Rudy De Bie about their expectations for the return of the Dutch former world champion.

"I've never raced against Lars Boom", Wout van Aert told Sporza last weekend in Mol. "I wonder how he will approach it and whether he will be fast right from the start."

Paul Herygers is also looking forward to Boom’s return although he tempers expectations. "For the fans, the presence of Boom surely means something, but in terms of performance I don’t expect him to be up there immediately.

"I am confident that he will be surprised. Lars may prove me wrong, but cyclo-cross has changed so much. I have heard that Styrbar had missed some technical skills when he did the race in Essen.

"It would be really wonderful if Lars could finish in the top five. That would be really powerful," says Herygers.

Lars Boom’s brief return does not end in Antwerp as the Dutchman hopes to do the World Championships in Zolder. Should the Belgians consider him a threat for the Worlds?

"If Boom can ride as a team with Van der Poel and Van der Haar, it will not be easy," says former rider Niels Albert. "Because then you have a good engine that can accelerate in the long sections and can keep the race together.

"In Zolder you have a long straight section. If compatriots understand each other there, you can make up a lot there,” Wout van Aert adds.

"You may still be the strongest in the field but in that way it will be difficult to keep your advantage. It is therefore preferable for me to get a head-to-head battle."

"It is still cyclo-cross: if you're really strong, you do not need anyone", says Paul Herygers. "Lars will not ride the Worlds in support of Van der Haar or Van der Poel. He will want to go fully for his own chance," concludes coach Rudy De Bie.