Well, that’s not the best way to ring in the New Year. According to a release on X from his Alpecin-Deceuninck team, world champion Mathieu van der Poel won’t be starting at the X2O Trofee Baal – GP Sven Nys.
The race, named for former world champion Sven Nys (and father of top ‘cross rider Thibau Nys), is taking place on Wednesday in Baal, Belgium.
Injury from crash in Belgium
“Unfortunately, 2025 doesn’t start as we had hoped. World champion Mathieu van der Poel will not be participating in Baal today,” a statement from Alpecin-Deceuninck read. “Mathieu is experiencing significant rib pain, a lingering effect of his crash in Loenhout where he struck a pole. The discomfort has worsened over the past few days, and after consulting with the medical team this morning, Mathieu made the difficult decision to withdraw from today’s race.”
The statement continued to say that the team will closely monitor his recovery to determine whether he can compete in Koksijde on Friday.
Van der Poel has been untouchable this season in ‘cross, winning five out of five races he’s entered. His style has either been to attack from the get-go or take it easy until he decides to go and then cruise to a victory. He had mentioned that he was feeling a bit fatigued during the Kerstperiod but was planning on some heavy training in between races.
Untouchable thus far
Although Wout van Aert has raced against him, it’s fair to say the Dutch rider has been unrivalled in every outing.
As far as the rest of his season, Van der Poel was planning to compete again in the X2O Trofee in Koksijde on Jan. 3, before heading to the World Cup in Dendermonde on Jan. 5. His schedule continues with the World Cup in Maasmechelen on Jan. 25, followed by the World Cup in Hoogerheide on Jan. 26. He’ll cap off his cyclocross season at the world championships in Lièvin on Feb. 2.
As far as when Van Aert and MVDP will square off again, there are two more races. They will go head-to-head on Jan. 5, 2025, at the World Cup in Dendermonde, and Jan. 25 at the World Cup in Maasmechelen. There is no world championships for Van Aert this year, as the Belgian is focusing on his Classics season.
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