The season’s opening two events provided the platform for Toon Aerts to seize control of the men’s World Cup standings, the Belgian rider winning both races.

While he remains in the lead heading into the fifth competition, his lead has been cut following racing at Bern in Switzerland and Tabor in the Czech Republic.

Aerts boasts a total of 285 points from the opening four events, with his compatriots Wout van Aert and Quinten Hermans in pursuit on 258 and 230 respectively. 

European champion Mathieu van der Poel has triumphed at the last two World Cup races, including earning a dominant victory last week in Tabor.

The Dutchman will be seeking to maintain his streak by clinch a third straight World Cup win.

The women’s World Cup standings are led by Marianne Vos, despite the Dutch rider missing last weekend’s race.

Vos is to return to the start line tomorrow as she looks to maintain her position at the top of the standings.

The seven-time world champion and London 2012 Olympic road race gold medallist currently has a tally of 225 points, following two wins and a third place finish during her three World Cup outings.

She is followed by reigning World Cup and world champion Sanne Cant, with the Belgian rider boasting 207 points to date.

The fifth World Cup of the season is due to be followed by two further stops in Belgium next month, with Namur and Heusden-Zolder due to host races.

Pont-Chateau in France is scheduled to host the penultimate event in January, before the season concludes at Hoogerheide in the Netherlands.