Sitting at home injured while his competitors continue to battle it out for the big prizes in cyclo-cross, Niels Albert has promised himself that he will win the sport’s top award; the rainbow jersey of world champion.
The 25 year old Belgian champion was injured on Tuesday when he was hit by a car while training. He broke a bone in his left wrist and must wear a cast for at least two weeks. It is likely that the injury will keep the BKCP-Powerplus competitor out of racing for some time more, with another fall on the damaged hand a very serious threat.
Because of that, his lead in the Superprestige series is threatened. He won in Ruddervoorde and Zonhoven, was fourth in last Sunday’s race in Hamme-Zogge, and is now three points clear of Sven Nys. However the Asper-Gavere and Gieten rounds come tomorrow and next Sunday, and he will lose ground there.
The worlds doesn’t take place until January, though, and he has set it as a big target. “The world championship is the biggest motivation,” he said in Het Nieuwsblad. “I’m pushing my disillusionment away to chase that one goal. In my head I hear, ‘I’m going to be world champion.’ I don’t doubt it. I will not be satisfied with second or third place.
"I know that it is possible to fail, but a sportsman pushes aside that thought. For me it is simple: in Koksijde I have just one thing to do: win.”
Thinking of that helps him get through the frustrations he is experiencing now. “I feel like an invalid…I can’t cut meat, I can’t drive the car.”
Albert was World Cup champion last season and won the world championships in 2009. He’s also a three time victor in the European championships, as well as the reigning Belgian title holder.
He can take encouragement from the case of Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step). He missed a chunk of last season due to knee problems, but recovered to take his second consecutive world championship.