Legs not that great, "trouble" with his ribs and slightly tired, but Van der Poel just keeps winning: "Certainly not bad"

"I still feel it a bit in my ribs, although it certainly could have been worse. So, in a way, I also had some luck," was Van der Poel's first quote on Saturday, January 27. He was referring to his crash in Benidorm almost a week earlier. In East Flanders, where he was completing his penultimate preparation race for next week's Cyclo-cross World Championships, the versatile rider from Kapellen was of course once again the overwhelming favorite. "As long as I have good legs next week, it's fine," he once again emphasized the importance of that world championship.

Van der Poel also mentioned that he started the race in Hamme feeling somewhat tired. "Before the race in Benidorm, I had some intense training sessions. If you're not super fresh on that course, you can still hide it a bit. But as I said: hopefully, next Sunday I will have the best legs of the season. I've done everything I could to be in the best possible form at the start in the Czech Republic. But a World Championship can only be won by racing it, and winning on the day. What happens during the race is not always in your control. In general, I am satisfied with my form, although I do feel some fatigue. Next week we will incorporate some rest days again. The number of training hours will significantly decrease. Gaining freshness and occasionally stimulating are the most important things at that point. Hopefully, I will be at the start of the world championship in the best possible form."

Minor 'ailments' or not, Van der Poel once again put on a one-man show in Hamme. European champion Vanthourenhout was a formidable opponent but ultimately had to acknowledge the world champion's superior performance. "I also had some trouble with my ribs during the race, but that absolutely did not stop me," the winner said afterward. "It was more the intense training sessions in Spain that affected me, although we were already expecting that. So it was certainly not bad, but I lacked some freshness. I definitely did not have great legs. Far from it, in fact."

After 25 minutes of racing, Van der Poel really revved up his engine, putting significant pressure on the rest. Vanthourenhout bent but didn’t break, catching up to the rear wheel of the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader, forcing Van der Poel to seriously push his pace. This intensity lasted only briefly, though, as just over a lap later, the decisive move was made. Vanthourenhout didn't fall too far behind, but the gap to Van der Poel was definitive. "You always have to take Michael into account. Last week as well, he was strong and had recovered well after his victory in Zonnebeke," replies Van der Poel when asked if the Vanthourenhout will be a serious contender in Tábor.

On Sunday afternoon, Van der Poel will also participate in the finale of the cyclo-cross World Cup, hosted in Hoogerheide. The course there is of course designed by his father, Adrie. "It will be a lot of stress for my dad, but for me, it doesn't make a difference. It’s always nice to race close to home, as there are always many people I know present."