Belgian national coach Sven Van Torenhout believes that the expected duel between Wout Van Aert and Mathieu Van Der Pol at the cyclo-cross world championships could be a sprint between the two, like their battle at the Tour of Flanders last October.

This is the first time that the two riders have won the Tour of Flanders.

This time, Van der Pol is ahead of his Belgian rival, and Van Aert is eager to humiliate him on the shores of the North Sea on Sunday afternoon. Van Aert beat Van der Pol last weekend in the Ovalaisse World Cup, but insists that the Dutchman is favored to defend his title in the World Championships.

The two have dominated cyclocross for the past six years, each winning three world titles, and the rivalry has extended to the cobbled classics. speaking to Sporza (open in new tab), Belgian national coach Van Tulenhout felt Sunday's race was too close to call. He felt that Sunday's race was too close to call.

"I think this question will remain unanswered until the finish at 16:15. The hippodrome was a little drier than yesterday, which was good, but the beach was leaden and heavy. But the beach remains heavy as lead, so it will be a physical challenge."

Despite the presence of powerhouses like Tom Pidcock (GBR) and three-time world champion Zdenek Stibal, Van Turenhout expects no one to break Van Art and Van Der Pol's two-man advantage on the sandy course.

"After one pass through the beach section, it will already be a two-man battle between the two leaders," Van Turenhout said. 'Today we have the battle we've been waiting for. A sprint like the Tour of Flanders could happen today."

Van der Pol outpaced Van Aert that time, but the Dutchman knows it could be just as close in Ostend. 'They both have the track in their favor,' he said. 'I have the advantage on the racetrack, but the bridge and the beach will be to Wout's advantage.'