In the 7th round in Heusden-Zolder Mathieu van der Poel (26) gave up yesterday. Two cyclocross races to start the season seemed a bit too much for the world champion.
“His back played up again,” Adrie van der Poel knows. “That is not surprising after the tough cyclo-cross in Dendermonde and the first two laps in Heusden-Zolder. As we knew, it takes time.”
“It made little sense to finish the race,” says Van der Poel senior. “Getting off is not in Mathieu’s dictionary, but he also has to think about his health. After two days of rest it will get a lot better.”
On Thursday in Loenhout, Van der Poel will therefore normally be at the start again. “His season will continue as planned for the time being,” Adrie confirms.
“The next race he will just start from zero again. There are still few double crosses on the program, so he has more time to recover.”
(read on below the video)
Mathieu van der Poel is not only worried about his back, his knee problem is also not gone yet. “He hasn’t actually been able to ride a decent race since the Tour de France,” sighs father Adrie.
“Paris-Roubaix (where he finished 3rd, ed) went well, but we didn’t see the super Mathieu there either. After his fall, the preparation for the cyclo-cross season went in fits and starts. I think he is currently a month behind. “
Should Mathieu van der Poel not think about winning? “Maybe he should refine his ambitions, there is nothing wrong with that,” says the 1996 world champion.
“Certainly not if you know where it comes from. It wouldn’t be healthy to force it. If you’re in pain, you have to be careful.”
“Mathieu should not be rushed. Maybe he should be satisfied with a 5th place.”
“The World Cup remains the main goal, but there are worse things in the world if he couldn’t do it for the win. We’ll see,” his father concludes.
