Six-time elite world cyclocross champion Mathieu van der Poel is anticipated to peak later this cross season after dominating the World Cup spherical in Zonhoven.
Ranging from the third row, the 29-year-old burst via the surface of the pack and took the lead only one minute and 12 seconds into the race.
Van der Poel’s lead stretched all through the race to win by 1:30, as fellow multi-discipline rider Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions) was left chasing alone behind.
Van der Poel completed his highway season with bronze on the world championships on the finish of September earlier than successful the Gravel World Championship the next week.
The Dutch star is because of trip 11 occasions this cyclo-cross season, culminating within the World Championships in Lievin.
In the meantime, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease A Bike) won’t tackle his fierce rival at Mol tomorrow (Monday) resulting from sickness and is now scheduled to make his cyclocross debut at Loenhout on December 27.
Christoph Roodhooft, group supervisor of Alpecin-Deceuninck, stated that Van der Poel has taken a calmer strategy to his ‘cross marketing campaign this winter and solely accomplished two particular cyclocross periods earlier than heading into his first race.
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“He will not have been on the cross bike a lot but. He has solely included two particular cross coaching periods,” Roodhooft informed Wielerflits.
“That’s the consequence of that program and of being a highway bike owner. By the point it will get to the purpose the place it turns into actually vital, he will probably be on the similar stage.”
Van der Poel is anticipated to as soon as once more mix his cyclocross coaching along with his highway targets after successful each the Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix this marketing campaign.
“He has to coach via the cross for what’s coming in March and April,” added Roodhooft.
“It’s important to make the puzzle match collectively, that is all that has to occur within the cross.”
Van der Poel stunned himself by successful his maiden ‘cross race of the marketing campaign by such an enormous margin following a unique coaching strategy.
“It was among the finest (first ‘cross races again) and one which I didn’t anticipate, it’s very nice.”
“I did a unique strategy to my first race, rather less interval and extra endurance rides to try to get via this busy interval a bit brisker than I did final 12 months.
“I felt actually good from the start and the method was actually good really, so I’m pleased.”
Van Aert has a unique cyclocross programme this winter and was resulting from face Van der Poel for the primary time in Mol tomorrow.
Nevertheless, Van Aert has pulled out of the race resulting from sickness, in accordance with his group.
“Sadly, Wout van Aert has fallen sick and won’t get well in time for tomorrow’s race in Mol. We want him a speedy restoration and hope to see him again in motion quickly,” Visma-Lease A Bike posted on social media.
Reacting to the information that rival Van Aert won’t be on the start-line alongside him on the Superprestige occasion in Mol, Van der Poel stated: “I’m very unhappy that Wout received’t be beginning tomorrow (in Mol).
“I might have actually appreciated to have raced towards him. I’m unhappy that he’s not there tomorrow.
“I feel Wout is all the time a pleasant opponent. It additionally brings lots of further individuals (to look at their battle), in order that’s a disgrace.”
Van Aert now has 5 races remaining on his cyclocross calendar and is because of miss the World Championships in Lievin.
Speaking about Van der Poel’s strategy, Roodhooft added to Wielerflits,“Mathieu wished to make it an actual cross season, and never take three or 4 crosses after which name it quits.
“That was very clear from the start. It did not look like a good suggestion to show the entire winter the other way up, after which hardly do something with it.
“Now it has a sporting added worth, as a result of we’re additionally 100% satisfied that cyclocross makes him higher as a highway bike owner.
“It is not simply having enjoyable. This can contribute in direction of the spring anyway.
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