Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin – Deceuninck) showed his rustiness on the cyclocross bike as he made a “steering error” and crashed before regaining momentum to take his first cyclocross win of the season.
The seven-time cyclocross world champion attacked on the last lap to take victory following an eventful cyclocross World Cup round in Namur.
“Just a small steering error,” said Van der Poel when questioned afterwards. “I just couldn’t correct it anymore. I made a little too many mistakes in the wheels. Sometimes it’s a little easier to ride in the lead.”
“In the end, when I went to the front on the last half-a-lap it was my best technical part of the race.”
The multi-discipline rider has entered the ‘cross calendar a week earlier than last year as he also prepares for the Spring Classics.
Van der Poel felt he had more to improve on technically following his maiden outing. He added: “Last year, I think I was just a little further [in his preparations]. I had just done a little more specific [cyclocross] training. This year we planned that a little later.”
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