Champions shocked after World Cups delivered by mail

Recently crowned Cyclo-cross World Cup Champions, Sven Nys and Daphny van den Brand have expressed their disappointment in the International Cycling Union (UCI) after receiving their World Cup Trophies in the mail. Winner of the women's World Cup, Van den Brand was stunned by the lack of any sort of ceremony.

In a recent edition of the Dutch cycling magazine WielerMagazine, van den Brand questioned the UCI's apparent disregard for the sport and in particular women's racing. "I ask myself if Sven Nys is also honoured by the UCI in the same way," she said.

As it turns out, the UCI holds both disciplines in the same regard. Nys revealed that he too had received his Cup in the same manner as Van den Brand. "Around a month ago, I received it in the post as well," he explained to HLN.be. "A Cup packed in a cardboard box, with the compliments of the UCI.

"Normally we receive them at a ceremony during the first World Cup of the following season," the recent Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner signing added.

It seems that receiving a Cup in a box via the post isn't all that bad though, for arguably the best crosser of the last decade. "Last year I didn't receive one at all," he said. "I find that disappointing, there is nothing nicer that being honoured for your achievements and now I am missing one in my collection.

"Waiting for the prize money takes even longer," added Nys of the issues. "I won't see that until June. I am disappointed that the UCI doesn't highlight the most consistent cyclo-crosser more."