Vanthourenhout's illness persists: Duinencross Koksijde comes too soon

After missing the GP Nys, Michael Vanthourenhout will also not start the Duinencross of Koksijde (Belgium). The Belgian cyclist has a sore throat and is playing it safe. Over the weekend, however, he will start the upcoming races of Gullegem and Dendermonde.

Jurgen Mettepenningen, team manager of Pauwels Sauzen Cibel Clementines, reported to Sporza that Vanthourenhout was not yet ready for the race in Koksijde. "We decided to give him two races of rest," he said. "Before Diegem (Vanthourenhout gave up after a crash, ed.), he was already complaining about his throat. Racing cross in Baal was almost impossible." It was, therefore, decided to leave the cyclo-cross rider at home for the start of the new year.

Because of his illness, it was unclear whether he would start on Friday anyway. Now that has been settled. "He will not ride in Koksijde either. He is aiming for the weekend with Gullegem and Dendermonde. It probably is not wise to do cyclo-cross with a sore throat." The former European champion currently leads the World Cup ranking; his big goal is Sunday's cyclo-cross in Dendermonde. "He can go all out in Dendermonde. It's important to maintain his position in the ranking."

Read more below the photo!

Eli Iserbyt was the best in the GP Sven Nys on January 1st.

Vanthourenhout must show off new outfit 

Vanthourenhout will ride in his new jersey for the first time on Saturday in Gullegem. The new sponsor, Cibel, a fruit and vegetable company, has replaced the old sponsor, Bingoal, because of stricter gambling rules in Belgium. Not much has changed to the jersey: the familiar red and black remains, only the sponsor on the jersey is different. Teammate Eli Iserbyt managed to open his year ideally in Baal with a win, but the Belgian champion has his own jersey. That is why the team will be all the happier if Vanthourenhout can show his jersey to the crowds next weekend.

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