‘Cyclo-cross can’t exist with just three riders’ - Sven Nys on CX appearance fee disparity
Some CX riders reportedly forced to race for free due to large appearance fees handed to Tom Pidcock, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert


Sven Nys, the Belgian cyclo-cross legend and two-time World Champion, has said that a more equal balance is needed in cyclo-cross appearance fees handed out to riders by race organisers.
The fees paid to the star riders on the European cyclo-cross circuit have attracted criticism in recent weeks, with other riders claiming they have had to race for free due to organisers spending all their budget on attracting Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Nys said he believes urgent conversations are needed with all cyclo-cross stakeholders to ensure a healthier future for the discipline.
“We want to keep all riders involved in our sport, so we need to to think more about others and less about Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock,” Nys said. “It’s important, cyclo-cross can not exist with just three riders.”
Nys said that the only way to reach a resolution to the issue is to get all parties involved around a table with the aim of achieving an equal balance to create a level financial playing field.
“We can’t compare cyclo-cross with road racing. Most of the riders have their own expenses from travelling to Benidorm or places like Dublin. If they aren’t able to get a fee at that moment to come to some races, they’re going to decide to race in Belgium because it costs less money,” Nys said.
“I think we need to talk with everyone involved in cyclo-cross. Race organisers, the UCI, athletes and teams, then we can not solely bring money to the biggest riders, but make a good balanced budget so that others are able to afford things like their travel costs,” he added. “It’s really not in a good balance right now.”
“The big guys only race 10-15 races a season. Although we need to think beyond those three riders because we have up to 40 races in a CX season. If we only think about those 10-15 races with Wout, Mathieu and Tom Pidcock what will we then do with all the other riders?
“The World Cup starts in October, we need to think about those riders that start those races then and not only about the big guys who join in December.”
"WHEN WOUT, MATHIEU AND TOM TURN UP THE CROWDS ARE BIGGER"
Meanwhile, recently crowned British national champion Cameron Mason told Cycling Weekly that the trio of big hitters receive large amounts of money for a reason.
“It’s no secret that when Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom [Pidcock] turn up at races the crowds are then bigger,” Mason said. “As a kind of financial thing, it 100% adds up. Organisers are getting more people through the door when the big guys turn up. I’ve raced in races where those guys weren’t there and yeah, I think the difference is really noticeable so I think it’s just part of it.”
Away from his work with the Baloise Trek Lions team, Nys has recently collaborated with former pro Mitch Docker and GCN on a new film which sees Docker try his hand at cyclo-cross. Titled “There will be Mud”, the film sees Nys and current pros Shirin van Anrooij and Puck Pieterse work with Docker as he heads to Belgium to tackle his first race.
Nys told Cycling Weekly that Docker was a fast-learner and that the Australian adapted to his new surroundings really quickly.
“We know that Mitch is an athlete. He knows how he needs to win races and how to prepare himself for road cycling. But bringing him into cyclocross and talking about all the details, when to jump on and off the bike, the tactics, the acceleration, shifting on the right moment, were all things that were so new to him,” Nys said.
“It’s really exciting that he loved it, also that he made improvements really quickly after we talked about all those things. Then when he went to a race and was involved, he enjoyed the atmosphere around the course which was really nice to see.”
There Will Be Mud is available exclusively on GCN+ and can be watched via the GCN+ App, all web browsers, and smart TVs. A subscription includes access to more than 150 original and exclusive full-length documentaries, as well as live and on demand racing coverage, analysis and highlights.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Giro d’Italia stage 10: key rider time trial start times
Race leader Isaac del Toro set to roll down the start ramp at 16:40 local time, Josh Tarling off at 14:36
-
Kaden Groves wins crash-marred Giro d’Italia stage 6 in Naples
Australian comes out on top in bunch sprint after chaotic day in Italy
-
More intensity, nutrition and freedom: inside Tom Pidcock's career-best form
The Briton is thriving at his new team, and has been competitive in one-day races and stage races so far in 2025
-
Who could complete the Grand Tour hat-trick at the men’s Giro d’Italia?
Six male riders could become stage winners in all three Grand Tours this month
-
'I don't want to come away with any regrets' - Tom Pidcock promises attack, attack, attack at the Giro d'Italia
The Briton is making his debut in the Italian Grand Tour is targeting stage victories
-
Tadej Pogačar flies to dominant victory at La Flèche Wallonne
Slovenian takes second win at Belgian classic ahead of Kévin Vauquelin and Tom Pidcock
-
'If I were a tennis player then my career would be over': Remco Evenepoel contemplated early retirement after serious training accident
Double Olympic champion was left with nerve damage and says his shoulder is not yet fully healed ahead of his return to racing at Brabantse Pijl
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders