Mathieu van der Poel outlasted his fellow cyclocrossers from start to finish in the Zonhoven World Cup, yet it became clear once again afterward that his cyclocross campaign is actually of secondary importance to the seven-time world champion. On Monday, he will board a plane to Spain, where the truly important work takes place.
"I was happy that I could immediately do my own thing," Van der Poel explains about his rapid solo attack. "That way, I didn’t have to take any risks. I consciously tried to stay focused while riding around, precisely to avoid those risks and crashes. It was quite dangerous on certain sections. In the second part, it became an ice rink at one point. Then you have to ride more cautiously."
Sympathy for Van Aert
That mindset isn't random for Van der Poel. Last week, his biggest rival Wout van Aert crashed on such an icy patch during the Zilvermeercross in Mol. Van Aert suffered a broken ankle and had to immediately end his cyclocross season. Something that affected Van der Poel deeply. "I was unconsciously thinking about it during the race. What happened to Wout is really awful. He’s had so many setbacks already, and of course, you don’t wish that on anyone. Let’s just hope his preparation for the road season won’t be compromised."
"You also saw it happen in Loenhout to Laurens Sweeck. It shows that every crash, however harmless it may seem, can have serious consequences," reflects the world champion. "I haven’t forgotten how last year, after that collision with that post in Loenhout, I was riding with a rib injury during training camp in Spain. These are things you’d rather avoid.”
All the more so because some important weeks lie ahead for Van der Poel. The leader of Alpecin-Premier Tech is heading to his beloved Spain to train hard, and—unless the Benidorm World Cup (January 18) is added to his schedule—won’t return to cyclocross racing until the World Cup in Maasmechelen on January 24. "I’m glad I can get away from the bustle to train for a bit," Van der Poel admits honestly. "It’s good that I can get back to the sun."
Putting in the Hours
But according to Van der Poel, it’s also truly necessary. "You always need those extra hours after such a busy period with many cyclocross races. On the one hand, I am really working toward the Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst (on February 1). That remains a major goal, so I’ll do some intervals now and then to be in top shape at the start, aiming for the rainbow jersey. I’m really going to focus on that."
On the other hand, Van der Poel also has to think ahead. The all-rounder has already stated several times that during winter he doesn’t train hard to win cyclocross races, but rather to keep Tadej Pogacar at bay in the spring classics. "Of course, there will also be a lot of endurance training in my program, with spring in mind. I will be putting in many hours, with the necessary rest breaks here and there."
At the start of winter, Van der Poel said he was struggling with a lag, but that seems to have changed by now. "I got through this Christmas period well, but I’m definitely not at my peak yet. I think I was actually better at this time last year, but I can’t complain either. I think I can now head to Spain with a good feeling; last year was a bit annoying with that broken rib I had then. I just have to be happy with how everything has gone in the recent races," he concludes.
Mathieu van der Poel
