Erwin Vervecken recieves Treviso mascot Ciottolino from Treviso president Leonardo Muraro.(Image credit: PR)
Erwin Vervecken shows the rainbow jersey in Piazza dei Signori in Treviso.(Image credit: PR)
Three time Cyclo-cross World Champion Erwin Vervecken has visited the region that will host next year's World Championships and says he's impressed with the host city. Vervecken visited the Treviso province and Le Bandie lake with his wife Liesbeth as guests of the organising committee behind the 2008 world championships.
"I'm here to discover the 2008 world course and the fascinating Treviso's landscapes where the Worlds will be held," explained Vervecken.
The reigning champion attended a press conference for the event, where he had the opportunity to talk with Renato Longo and Daniele Pontoni.
"I know Pontoni well," Vervecken stated, "as he was one of my strongest opponent for several years. Longo, he is like an icon for all cyclo-cross riders: he won the World Championships five times, and I hope to do the same for sure.
While he wasn't present at the press conference, Vervecken singled out Italian Enrico Franzoi as his largest competitor for next year's world championships - particularly given the home soil advantage.
"The Treviso World Cup stage was a very positive experience for me," Vervecken said. "The course is very nice and I like it so much. I have the dream to win the third title in a row here, I know there will be a lot of spectators, including thousands of Belgian fans. It will be an exciting experience"
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