Erwin Vervecken radiates calm as he goes about the business of final preparation for the defense of his world cyclo-cross title. A tall genial man with an overwhelming sense of ease both on and off the bike, Vervecken wore the rainbow stripes for the second time in his career in 2006-07.

While his year in the jersey in 2001-02 saw the Belgian win a fair number of big events, including the Belgian GVA Series, this season has been more modest, with Vervecken having the privilege of spraying the winner’s champagne only twice, despite frequent appearances in the top three.

Vervecken has taken on the role of ‘cross’s cagey veteran with aplomb. He won last year’s World Championships in Zeddam, Holland, by staying close to heavy favorite Sven Nys and then pouncing when Nys went out of the race with a heavy last-lap crash. VeloNews spoke with Vervecken just days before the 2007 World Championships at his Fidea Team’s training camp in the Limburg region of Belgium.

VeloNews: How has your season as the World Champion been for you?

Erwin Vervecken: I had a really busy period around Christmas, 11 races in 22 days and I was tired in the end. But last week I had a good week, a lot of rest and a lot of training. Sunday [in Hoogerheide] I felt really good but in the end I got too cold. For me the main thing is that my condition is very good and I think Nys is the man to beat but I beat him last year so why not this year too. He is the big favorite but maybe if he is not 100-percent I can beat him.

VN: You have become a very patient rider, able to wait for the race to develop and then make a single hard move. How have you gotten to that point?

EV: Before I was the fastest the sprinter and could also do a very fast last lap. It was good for to wait and stay on the wheels, but this year I have been beaten in sprints, in the World Cup in Treviso and also last week, so I need to attack in the end to be able to win.

VN: Is that function of getting older?

EV: For sure. I am almost 35 so I can’t expect to be as good as five years ago.

VN: But you can still win races.

EV: Yes but I have not won a lot of races. I won a maximum of 10 races in a year, last year four and this year two. It’s difficult to keep up when you look at Nys, he won 25 races this year. And we only race 40 races in a season so it’s difficult to even win a race.

VN: But your Fidea team is very strong. Has that helped?

EV: Yes, last year we beat Nys because we were the strongest team and we rode together and we could put him into the defensive. But this year I think the track is more one-on-one.

We’ll see how it turns on Sunday.