Telenet Fidea manager Hans van Kasteren is displeased with all the attention that Sven Nys has been given in the press. "I have to laugh when I read how Nys tries to explain his poor performances. Because the explanation is logical. It's his age."

Last weekend Wout van Aert and Kevin Pauwels took convincing wins in Koksijde and Spa respectively. But most of the attention in the newspapers was given to the poor performances by Sven Nys. According to Telenet-Fidea manager Hans van Kasteren, that is completely wrong.

"In the newspapers it's just about Nys and why he is poot. That's a shame because cyclocross is so exciting and attractive," he told Sporza.

"Nevertheless, Nys is given more publicity than ever before. He remains the greatest cyclocross rider ever and deserves praise that he still performs at 38 years of age. But there is no reason to cry.

"Why do you think Nys was superior [at the Jaarmarktcross] in Niel? Because the rest pulled their handbrake as the race is not part of any of the big race series.

"It makes me laugh when I read how Sven tries to explain his poor performance. Because the reason is logical. It is his age."

"I am now going on the barricades because I think the riders who perform well at the moment, do not currently get the credit they deserve," Van Kasteren continued. "Cyclocross has never so fascinating but it is not clear when you read the press. Riders who perform are underexposed. They deserve better.

"Let us continue to cherish our sport, but let us also accept that Nys at 38 years of age no longer delivers the performances that is his goal. There is definetely a life after Nys."