Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'
Cyclocross
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleDutchman Lars van der Haar retired from cyclocross at the end of February after a long and successful career. However, sitting still isn’t for this likable cyclocross rider, who is now juggling several different jobs. IDL Pro Cycling caught up with him at the European Cyclocross Championships in Zeddam, before a new documentary was released about him on Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read more below the photo!
Van der Haar has had a long cyclocross career.
Lars van der Haar has been busy post retirement
In recent weeks, Van der Haar has been working as an assistant coach for the Dutch National team, training young talents.
After he retired from professional cyclocross in Oostmalle, he went through a turbulent period. “Well, for the first four months, I mostly just relaxed at home. That period was actually quite intense, because we were going through a difficult time with our little son,” explains the father of Sofia and Lio.
"It turned out he had a cow's milk allergy and cried for as long as eight hours a day; that was really tough going, and that's what I was mainly focused on at the time," he explains about that turbulent period, which fortunately came to an end.
“Eventually, we found the right formula, and after four days, it was over pretty quickly. The months that followed flew by pretty quickly too, and then I started working at Zeloo.”
van der Lars van der Haar at his final World Championship.
Van der Haar enjoying life as a rider agent
Van der Haar has joined Zeloo Sports—Rik van Dongen’s company—as a rider agent. “Ultimately, we’ve noticed here at the office, of course, that the youth sector has become increasingly important," said Van der Haar.
"At first, we might not have wanted to jump on that bandwagon right away, but now that all the major teams are there—and since we’re obviously not the biggest in terms of budget—you realize that your roster will slowly dwindle otherwise.”- Lars van der Haar
"The approach now is to rebuild the base of the pyramid in our own way," Van der Haar explains. "And our way isn't just about blindly closing a deal, but rather investing in that personal touch and supporting riders as best we can wherever we can." That’s right up the sympathetic former cyclocross rider’s alley.
Read also
"What I really enjoy most about it is working with the youth. With the youth, thankfully, you’re not yet talking about contracts; it’s purely about the sport, about the passion, and about real coaching," Vasn der Haar gushes.
"As Wednesday’s practice was approaching, I thought to myself at the office: hey, maybe I can share some of my experience there again. That’s actually how I got back into it,” he says, referring to the practices in Alphen, where he assists Gerben de Knegt.
Read more below the photo!
Lars van der Haar was at the European Championships last weekend as a KNWU coach.
Vaan der Haar grateful for his current role in the industry
Hasn't Van der Haar had a single moment in recent months when he thought: I miss it, or am I really making the right choice?
“Only after the Koppenberg. Then I thought for a moment: Man, I actually still want to keep racing. But when you’re riding home and you think about everything you have to give up and sacrifice to reach that level… that was exactly why I quit.”
"And if I’m allowed to be there like this—and I deliberately say ‘allowed’—then I think that’s really wonderful. It’s also nice that the boys and girls are grateful for the help on the bike. Although, of course, in the end they have to do it all on their own; you’re only one percent of the bigger picture,” he says, drawing on his own career.
Belgian TV release documentary film about Lars van der Haar
Pickx Sports launched a documentary about Van der Haar (available only to Belgian fans). It beautifully captures what daily life is like for the Van der Haar family—including father René and mother Saskia—while also allowing Van der Haar to show his vulnerable side.
For example, he talks about the death of his sister Femke, who was only 12 years old at the time, and the reasoning behind his decision to quit cycling. Definitely worth watching!
International audiences can watch an expert of the film on Van der Haar's social media channels.
Read also
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Red Bull boss piles pressure on Remco Evenepoel's 2027 season: 'We have to be ready to capitalise on weakness shown by Tadej'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Sepp Kuss and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot attend an ice hockey match and visit Cervelo in the USA
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
Latest Comments
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026
- I’m still not sure how the handlebar rules work. If another rider can rest their wrists on the bars, why was Van Schip disqualified for his position?jennifer1912-11-2026
- The UCI really needs clearer, consistently enforced rules on bike setups and riding positions. If Van Schip was being told different things from race to race, no wonder he got fed up.patriciaw12-11-2026
- Two world track titles and three pro wins is a serious career, whatever the controversies. Shame he felt the sport stopped listening to him. Hope Rotterdam gives him the send-off he deserves.tourdeforce912-11-2026
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Three sets of tyres in two days at the Nürburgring! The man clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Bet a winter without cyclocross will feel strange, though.bikebuffj11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026