American cyclo-cross fans have another reason to celebrate as the World Cyclo-cross Championships come to the United States for the first time in 2013. Belgium’s Sven Nys has confirmed to Sporza that he will take part in the cyclo-cross season with the worlds as a major target. Cyclo-cross enthusiasts will be relieved to hear they should expect to see Nys in Louisville, Kentucky on February 3, 2013.
Nys’ seventh place worlds finish on the sand dunes in Koksijde, Belgium had Nys questioning his place in the sport, and specifically in Belgian cyclo-cross at the end of the 2011-2012 season. In the elite men’s championship race in January, Belgium completed an unprecedented sweep, taking places one through seven. Niels Albert was crowned the world champion, with the podium completed by Rob Peeters and Kevin Pauwels.
But Nys was the seventh and final finisher for Belgium after fading in the second half of the race. At that time, the disappointing result had Nys wondering about future world championships.
“I had high expectations for this World Championship and I thought that I was in the shape of my life,” Nys had told Sporza in January. “But if that’s not enough then you start to draw conclusions. Maybe I should not worry about it. Perhaps it is the disappointment talking. But possibly this is my last World Championship.”
With early season cyclo-cross races barely a month away, the 36-year-old confirmed that he would be all in for the coming fall and winter.
“A few weeks ago I decided that I want to participate in the World Championship in the U.S.,” Nys stated. “In Koksijde I was very disappointed because I thought the time had come to be world champion again. But I came across [Albert], who had ridden only half a season. Moreover, the race can use the publicity, and I have a role to play.”
Louisville, Kentucky welcomes the World Cyclo-Cross Championships on February 2 and 3 next year.