During the last few months, Wout van Aert has made himself the big favourite for the Belgian cyclo-cross championships. "The preparation was good, but that's no guarantee of success." Rob Peeters hopes to finish on the podium in the slipstream of his teammate.

In recent days, Wout van Aert has enjoyed the Spanish sun to be fully ready for the Belgian Championships in Erpe-Mere.

"It was a perfect plan," Van Aert tells Sporza. "I could find peace in Spain after a busy period. I just need to adjust a bit more to the conditions here in Belgium and then it looks good.

"But a good preparation is no guarantee of success. The course will be heavy and that is good for me. I have a good shot at the title. Especially if I can do my own thing as I could do it every race so far. But there are still ambitious riders at the start."

Van Aert is also nervous because he has never been Belgian champion. "I know that a lot can go wrong. In the youth categories, the circumstances have always made it impossible for me to succeed. For once, I hope it will be different."

The only negative is a small cold that van Aert has been suffering from. "That might be because of the temperature difference between Belgium and Spain. But there is nothing to worry about. We will solve it in time."

Rob Peeters, Wout van Aert's teammate at Vastgoedservice, has twice been on the podium at the Belgian championships. And he wants more. "In the first place, I start in a support role for Wout, but that can play in my favor. In Essen we started so fast together that I was on the podium myself."

Last year Peeters was only beaten by Sven Nys. "I would immediately sign for silver. There are many riders who are struggling with their health while I am completely recovered. It is a course that suits me, so why not?"