Emiel Verstrynge was the surprise in Namur: “I like coming here”

Video Emiel Verstrynge was the big surprise of the Namur World Cup. The Crelan-Corendon rider fought for victory until the final lap and ultimately stood number three on the podium. What dominates in himself, pride or disappointment? “Gosh, proud anyway,” he said afterwards CyclingFlits.

“I don’t think I missed much today,” Verstrynge explains. “I made a mistake here and there, but I don’t think anyone drives around without making mistakes here in Namur. I can’t blame myself. If there was an opportunity in the race, I took it. I go home with a good feeling.”

Pass the fifth cross
Verstrynge not only limited himself to following in Namur, he also had the confidence to take control of the course himself. “In some way, yes. In recent years I have not often been in that situation, but when it was there at the beginning of the race, I sometimes had doubts. But today I thought: I’ll just take that opportunity, I’ll try to do something with it. I did that too, but in the final there were simply two men stronger. Then I just have to live with that.”

The Namur World Cup was only Verstrynge’s fifth cross this winter. How about that? “I actually started quite well in Beringen, but the week before the Koppenbergcross I didn’t feel so fresh. I then skipped the Koppenbergcross. Afterwards I resumed in Niel, but unfortunately I suffered a tear there. It didn’t feel very serious, but the consequences were a little bigger than expected. During that period I was unable to do any running training and had to give up explosive activities. But I was able to continue training. I did have confirmation of the condition, so I was at the start today with confidence.”

Professional on the road
Verstrynge also likes heavy cross-country skiing with the necessary climbing, such as in Namur. “That was also my strength in the summer. I like to climb those difficult courses where you have to ride at a pace for an hour. So yes, I like coming here,” said the 22-year-old rider, who will become a road professional at Alpecin-Deceuninck in 2025. “Not much is clear about my road program yet, but those types of races (climbing races, ed.) suit me better and are something I am interested in. I hear from the team that there is a nice program ready, but first I will focus on the cross.”