Sven Nys (Crelan-AA Drink) will line up this Sunday in the Koppenbergcross for the final time – a race which he has won nine times previously, the last time being in 2012.
“For me personally, the Koppenbergcross is a special race. I have dominated the past decade, and that creates a bond,” Nys told Wielerflits.
Nys feels that the weather may play a part in the outcome of the race. “I will need a super day to win,” he said. “I can see there being several contenders since it will be a dry edition. In good weather, there’s quite a lot of recovery time, whereas a muddy descent is more of a balancing act, and that suits me better.”
“However, on the other hand, for the big favourites, dry weather can make it more difficult to dominate, and that in turn, creates opportunities.”
Nys sees fellow Belgian, Wout Van Aert (Vastgoedservice-Golden Palace), as being one of the main favourites. 21 year-old Van Aert won the race last year.
The race which is part of the BPost Bank Trophy uses the Koppenberg climb which features in the Tour of Flanders, and the riders will face eight laps.
