Belgian 'cross World's team takes shape

Six of the eight Belgian cyclo-cross riders that will contest the World Championships in St. Wendel, Germany at the end of this month have been named by national coach Rudy de Bie. The leader in the UCI rankings Sven Nys, and the reigning World Champion Bart Wellens are automatically selected, while Sven Vanthourenhout, Erwin Vervecken, Ben Berden and Tom Vannoppen are guaranteed places due to their UCI rankings. De Bie will name the final two riders after the Belgian championships in Wachtebeke this Sunday.

De Bie (and everyone else) predicts Nys will be the man to beat. "Sven Nys certainly," he told VRT. "After him I expect Sven Vanthourenhout and Erwin Vervecken, and to less of an extent, Bart Wellens. They have to try to stay with Nys and try to intimidate him. Only they haven't succeeded in doing that very often this season.