Cyclo-cross series must depart from having three races in Belgium, says former world champion
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Sven Nys (Crelan) trying to break up the chase group(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)
There was no missing Sven Nys in the dark with his bright yellow Trek(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Sven Nys (Belgum)(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Cross Vegas winners Sven Nys (Crelan- AA Drinks) and Meredith Miller (Noosa Pro Team).(Image credit: Dave McElwaine)
The podium in Ronse: Mathieu van der Poel, Sven Nys and Klaas Vantornout(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Sven Nys told the UCI cyclo-cross commission in Brussels this week that the sport needs to “spread your wings” to promote itself by further internationalising the World Cup calendar, according to a report on Sporza Belgium.
Currently three of the seven World Cup races take place in Belgium: Koksijde on November 22, Namur on December 20 and Zolder in December 26. This year’s World Cup started with a first-ever series race in the US at CrossVegas. Two of the 2015-16 races are in the Netherlands and one is in France.
"In the World Cup in Las Vegas there were a lot of new nationalities at the start," Nys told the commission, according to the Sporza report. "I am talking about countries that we never get to see. Apparently, the US is for some countries easier to reach than Europe, that includes China and Japan. That's something to think about.
"Over time, we also need that direction with the World Cup. We have to change from three World Cup races in Belgium," Nys said. "In an ideal world, each country has one or two races. I know I speak to our organizers. But if you want to promote the sport, you have to spread your wings."
Nys also expressed his disappointment that the World Cup race planned for Canada this year had to be cancelled, saying he does not believe the race will ever be on the World Cup Calendar now.
"That was a terrible shame," Nys said. "But I want to be clear: Canada will not come back, we should avoid such situations."
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