Now that the cyclocross calendars of Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have been announced, not only the two top crossers themselves but also the entire cyclocross world know what to expect. Van der Poel will make life difficult for the full-time crossers eleven to thirteen times, while Wout van Aert will do so eight times. How do the crossers take this, and is there hope for a different scenario than in previous years?
Regarding the programs, there weren’t really many surprises to see. "We might have thought that Mathieu wouldn’t race that much and Wout more, since he ended last season without injury. But it was the other way around," laughs former world champion Bart Wellens. "However, the races they are entering are basically very logical. These are the traditional races between Christmas and New Year’s."
Although the world champion is extending his campaign a bit longer than the Belgian. "I understand that," says Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq. "I mainly expected Van Aert to start earlier in cyclocross. After stopping his road season, he probably thought himself to start earlier too, but then he went to America and had several team obligations. As a result, his program is now more condensed, with a peak at the Belgian championships."
The World Championships in Hulst will be missed by Van Aert for now, although the door isn’t completely closed. De Clercq, as national coach, respects that decision, but Wellens is not ready to give up hope. "I think he’s somewhat obliged. They all decide for themselves, but it would be very special. Just like last year, even though he wasn’t on the front row, the cyclocross world was fired up in the days before and the rivalry remained. Now we’re racing in Hulst close to home in front of thousands of fans. I think Van Aert can’t afford not to go, because it’s practically in Belgium."
According to the Kempen native, his fellow countryman also has an extra 'incentive'. "The course designer admitted this week that he deliberately launched a charm offensive, not to create a course tailored to Mathieu, but more of a Wout van Aert course. Maybe that’s the step that could convince Wout at the last minute."
Will we see the same podium at the World Championships again? - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Five duels
In the end, the two will face each other (for now) five times, that’s at least one more than last winter when Van Aert raced relatively little due to illness and a lingering injury and also didn’t reach his very best form in cyclocross. "But the fact that both want to return is something we should be very happy about," says Wellens. "I also don’t see a program of just a handful of races, but a full December and January calendar. That’s fantastic for our sport."
But do the traditional crossers see it that way? "It varies. For many riders, it’s definitely a step back in the results. Those guys won’t be happy to see Mathieu and Wout coming and will be a bit annoyed," thinks Wellens. "But you also have guys like Thibau Nys, who are just looking forward to measuring themselves against the best riders in the world. He sees that as a challenge."
How the balance of power exactly lies is difficult for Wellens to estimate. "As a cyclocross fan, I hope for a more exciting development than last year," he laughs. Then Van der Poel was already off the pace after one lap in the World Cup at Zonhoven, and that was the image we saw all winter long. "The problem is that he remains technically very good as well. In the summer, he occasionally goes for a ride in the forest or on the gravel bike, or plays on the mountain bike. That’s a difference with Wout, who you often find on training camps and road bikes."
"That’s why it’s always harder for Wout to adjust, he always needs a few races to get in rhythm and get back into the sport. But as he races more, he always gets better. You saw that last winter too. Add to that that Mathieu has been out of action a bit longer now and Wout has had a good buildup, and you can hope that the balance is now a bit closer."
Will we see another dominant Van der Poel? - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
The Thibau Nys factor
That is also the hope of De Clercq. "In principle, Wout should be closer. He didn’t race the World Championships in Rwanda – nor the European Championships in France. After that, he was able to start building steadily and more calmly towards spring. That can give us, in the best case, some duels that go all the way to the finish. That’s what cyclocross fans deserve. And then Wout’s confidence will quickly rise that he can beat Mathieu."
And the rest? "They are the riders who have always dominated and will still do so. It’s logical that we look to them first in that period, no one will deny that. But I think Thibau Nys can get close on certain courses. He has been truly dominant in recent weeks, hasn’t he?"
It’s a statement we read from analysts and experts every year, but for De Clercq it’s serious now. "Maybe he can fill the position in the three-way battle that Tom Pidcock has taken a few times. Thibau sometimes comes close, on a really good day like in Tábor. I know we’ve thought that often, sometimes even about Eli Iserbyt. But I’m not even talking about beating them. If Thibau can follow a half race, that’s already very promising for the next few years."
Wellens also prefers not to put that pressure on young Nys. "He may not win against Mathieu, but he will make it difficult for him. Then they also make mistakes. Maybe there’s something in that, but it would be unique. In my opinion, Nys should make it a goal to be the first to actually beat Mathieu. That would only be an honor. Then you’re also very happy, you know what to write about again. For all parties that’s a win-win," laughs the Kempen native.
