Mathieu van der Poel sought the heat of Dubai in preparation for the cyclocross season. Wout van Aert stayed closer to home and moved to Spain.
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Earlier this week, De Kempenaar added two extra crosses to his program. The three-time world champion will be seen in the Czech Tabor (World Cup – November 29) and in the Telenet-SP round in Boom (December 6). For example, Van Aert is now at eight confirmed participations, the same number as Mathieu van der Poel. The first confrontation between the two tenors is tentatively scheduled in Herentals on December 23.
Van Aert will ride his first cross of the winter season on November 28 in Kortrijk and he wants, of course, to start there in good shape. He therefore went to Spain this week, in the presence of Jumbo-Visma teammate Amund Grøndahl Jansen (who will drive for Mitchelton-Scott next season).
And that resulted in some solid training trips. With five rides, the two totaled 511 kilometers in just under 18 hours. Good for no less than 7,993 vertical meters in the legs. In between, Van Aert also ran 12 kilometers and 6 kilometers. And for his Spanish trip he also traveled more than 120 kilometers with ex-cyclocross rider Arne Daelmans. That promises!
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