Van der Poel gets frustrated in Gavere, but can laugh about his race despite 'stupid mistakes'

"Haha, by no means. I was not completely error-free," Van der Poel laughed afterward. "Following my attack, I had a nice lead after about two laps, and I wanted to maintain it a bit. But then I wasn't focused enough anymore and started making some mistakes. I also got angry with myself because I made such stupid mistakes. Michael (Vanthourenhout, ed.) was able to keep the pressure on until the end," Van der Poel was a little disappointed with himself.

After all, that was Van der Poel's main challenge: staying error-free. "It was technically a challenging course. It also got worse and worse per lap to keep cycling everywhere. It was similar to last year when it got harder each lap because the mud got progressively thicker. At one point, you can hardly ride through it anymore," the rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck looks back on the brutal cross of Gavere.

Was this good training or a very tough cross for the Dutch rider? "Both. It was a very tough race. So I hope that is also an excellent training. You can't prepare for a course like that. Like sand and so on, it is nearly impossible to be ready for the mud of Gavere, but I guess everyone made mistakes."

But those mistakes were not just Van der Poel's fault, especially the material suffered from the mud of Gavere. "The tires just build up with the clay. And then you just have zero grip and start making mistakes."

Van der Poel still had company from Thibau Nys and Vanthourenhout in the first laps but got rid of them on the third lap with a fast passage of the slant. Van der Poel's attack was thus later than in past races. "I don't always have to lead the troops from the start. The pace was high enough; you can see that because there will naturally be separation due to the pace of the others. That was fine for me. Good to be in the wheel for a while."

The cyclo-cross of Gavere was difficult for everyone, including Van der Poel. He hopes those efforts will pay off on the road in the spring. "That's the reason I ride cyclo-cross anyway. But Gavere, it is tough for everyone in these conditions, and I definitely felt it. This was the toughest of the three (after his previous races in Zonhoven and Mol, ed.). Gavere is difficult every year when I come here, especially today."

Friday is the much-anticipated first duel between Van der Poel and Wout van Aert in the cyclo-cross of Loenhout. The two have fought numerous and memorable duels in the past. While cyclo-cross fans are eagerly looking forward to a new duel between the two, it is less critical for Van der Poel, but at the same time, it also brings up nostalgia. "Riding against Wout is something I've been doing for more than ten years, so it feels familiar when he's there." Can Van Aert compete with Van der Poel right away? "Especially being sick won't have done him any good. But he can judge it best himself," said MVDP.

Whereas the cyclo-cross in Loenhout can turn into a mud bath when it rains, it seems the weather conditions will stay dry. "With the rainfall of the past few days, I didn't expect that," Van der Poel responded with surprise. "We'll see tomorrow. From today, the race will leave its marks on most of them," he concluded.