For many years, Sven Nys has dominated the top cyclo-cross races, but the start of the 2009/2010 season has been different. He’s taken just five wins thus far, precisely half of his total by this point last year, yet his coach Paul Van Den Bosch is satisfied that he is doing things in the right way.
“We know what we are doing,” he stated, according to Sporza. “The condition of Sven Nys is very good. But each time, he has run into two opponents who were slightly better than himself, namely Niels Albert and Zdenek Stybar.”
Van Den Bosche argues that the they have come up a level, rather than the Belgian champion Nys dropping down. “I am convinced that Sven is not weaker than in previous years, but Albert and Sybar have made a great jump forward. Niels is especially strong.”
Part of Nys’ problem was that he did some mountainbike races this year, riding the world championships in Australia in September, and didn’t get enough rest before the start of the cross racing. However Van Den Bosche feels there’s time enough for him to make a strong impression.
“There’s still 20 cross races to ride this season,” he explained. “I am convinced that there are good days to follow for Sven.”
One benefit of his quieter season is that he should have more reserves when he lines out in the cross worlds. In previous years he dominated the annual calendar, winning left, right and centre, but he has only taken the rainbow jersey on one occasion. The common feeling was that he put too much energy into trying to win every big race he entered, and was burnt out by the time the worlds took place.
Things are different this time round. He should have more energy left and also won’t have the same weight of expectation; can that make the difference in Tabor on January31st?