Jan Verstraeten missed the cross World Cup race in Koksijde due to the return of Bart Wellens, after the latter had recovered from a long viral infection. Now Verstraeten was nominated for the next round of the World Cup in Igorre, Spain, on Sunday, December 6.
Verstraeten was cynical about his selection. “Well, what can I say? They probably think that since I am already on Spanish soil, he may as well stay there,” Verstraeten told Sporza. The Belgian is currently training in Spain.
Nonetheless, he seeks his chance. “The following days I want to prepare myself really well for Igorre. I hope for a good result.”
But Verstraeten hasn’t forgotten the pain to sit out the World Cup race at home. “Last week I should have been racing,” he emphasized. “It’s a pity that through the World Cup system racers can lose chances, points and prize money. In your head that insecurity always plays a role.”
In the cyclo cross World Cup, there are national teams, not trade teams, at the start line. Each country has a maximum number of riders it can choose. The return of Wellens was bad news for one rider, in this case Verstraeten.