Even Van der Poel can feel exhausted, but how he travels to Besançon can make a difference: "Oops, has that been leaked already?"
Cyclocross
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Four out of four: Friday's Azencross in Loenhout
was also right up Mathieu van der Poel's alley The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck took off after a superb start by his returning rival Wout van Aert and only saw most of his rivals after the finish line, although Laurens Sweeck came very close. Afterward, Van der Poel told his story while shivering to IDLProCycling.com.
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The Dutch rider's legs pumped out a lot of power, but afterward, they shivered mainly from the cold. "And I wasn't the only one. The last cyclo-cross races were okay, but this was the first time I was cold on the bike this winter," said the winner.
So, was that why he took off so quickly? No, said VDP. "Wout set the pace pretty high, and it seemed like a good time to put pressure on myself after that fast start." That the Visma | Lease a Bike man was right on target did not surprise the world champion. "Wout hasn't been sitting still, and he has the talent and class of his own, so I wasn't surprised."
Van der Poel talked about it being a difficult race in Loenhout, which is not far from the border with the Netherlands. "The past few years, it's always been that this course in Loenhout is challenging to stand out. It's actually not a race to ride alone because it's just a challenging course to ride much faster than anyone else."
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Van der Poel saw Sweeck suddenly come back
He seemed to succeed in that from lap one. However, all of a sudden, Laurens Sweeck of Crelan-Corendon returned. "My saddle was also broken then, so I had to change bikes. It's not that I let him come back; it was impressive that he closed that gap. I just kept doing my thing after that, and later, I was able to create another gap."
And so came an end to Van der Poel's fourth cyclo-cross in six days, who said few words about it himself. "The tough race in Gavere also made it harder, but I wasn't the only one who competed there as well. You do feel after four races in such a short period of time that cyclo-cross is hard on your body, but I try to keep treating it well."
The next appointment is Sunday's cyclo-cross in Besançon, France, and Van der Poel will fly there by private jet. Sporza commentator Ruben Van Gucht reported that in the broadcast. "Oops, has that been leaked already?" the Dutch rider laughed. "But it's true. A day of rest, and then we'll get back to it."
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026