Well, the elite men’s ‘cross field is pretty much thinking, ‘that was fun while it lasted,’ now that Mathieu van der Poel is back.
From Sunday’s World Cup round in Namur onward, the cyclocross calendar will be turned upside down for the next six weeks by the return of van der Poel. The seven-time world champion has lost only one of his last 25 races in the mud, a streak that has made most of the peloton acutely aware of what is coming once he pins on a number again.
Abrupt end to road season
Little is known about his precise build-up, but the second half of his year was far from smooth. A bout of pneumonia forced him out of the Tour de France and the lingering effects of that illness prevented him from ever reaching full power again. He still managed a stage win at the Renewi Tour. But, after a disappointing mountain bike worlds he pulled the plug on his season entirely in September. No gravel worlds, no Euro champs. Just a trip to California for a reset–lots of golf–and little riding.
Team manager Christoph Roodhooft recently confirmed that van der Poel’s restart was “more difficult than usual,” though his extended rest may prove beneficial. “But now he’s really ready,” Roodhooft said. “He feels that the training is paying off and that he’s at a level where he can race again. He’ll do a touch of cross-specific work, that’s all he needs.”
Earlier start to ‘cross campaign
Things must be going sort of well as initially he was expected to resume racing at one of the races during Christmas. Instead, he recently revealed he would be starting his season earlier.
If that’s the case, the outlook isn’t exactly comforting for the rivals awaiting him. Does the idea of another spell of domination gnaw at the rest of the field? Lars van der Haar, runner-up in the Flamanville World Cup, shrugs away the drama. “I just go on with my life. I grew up racing Mathieu and have always tried to beat him. But I don’t have the feeling that God is coming to ride with us,” he said to Wielerflits. Van der Haar stresses his respect for Van der Poel’s talent and impact but insists he doesn’t feel “privileged” to race him: “That’s more something for the media and fans.”
For the specialists, his presence changes everything. European champion Toon Aerts says it like it is: “We know that from now until the world championships we are racing for second place. I have no illusions about that.”
Even if Van der Poel isn’t…
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