Van der Poel decides the duel of the wheel giants
40,000 people followed the close duel between Mathieu van Der Poel (right) and Wout van Aert on site
Source: dpa/David Pintens
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have once again impressively documented their exceptional position. The two professional cyclists already pulled away from the field in the first lap of the cross-country championship. The eternal duel was only decided in an impressive sprint.
Mathieu van der Poel got the next victory in the duel for the title of the best contemporary cyclist. The Dutch professional cyclist won the Cross World Championships in Hoogerheide and secured the title 5:3 in a duel with his long-time rival Wout van Aert.
The 28-year-old driver from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team won the showdown in his home country just ahead of the slightly favored Belgian and once again secured the rainbow jersey. “This victory is definitely one of the top 3 of my greatest successes in my career,” said van der Poel after the race.
In the first of ten laps, both pros pulled away on the course designed by van der Poel’s father. By the time they crossed the finish line for the first time after 3.35 kilometers, the duo had already distanced themselves from the rest of the world-class field by 19 seconds. And the expected duel quickly developed in front of 40,000 enthusiastic spectators, which the Dutchman won in a duel well worth seeing.
Defending champion Pidcock was absent
With 150 meters to go, van der Poel started a sprint in an impressive manner that his opponent, who was taken by surprise, could no longer follow. “If Adri van der Poel manages the course, I’ll win the races,” van Aert had hoped before the race, but in the end only silver remained. His compatriot Eli Iserbyt won the bronze medal, the best German driver was Marcel Meisen, who finished the race in 32nd place.
Title number five: Mathieu Van Der Poel won ahead of Belgians Wout van Aert, (left) and Eli Iserbyt (right)
Source: dpa/David Pintens
The two opponents, van der Poel and van Aert, already fought duels as teenagers and are considered two of the greatest all-rounders in cycling history. In 13 races at the competition, van Aert claimed nine wins, always finishing at least second. Van der Poel drove one more race and was on the podium twelve times before his most recent triumph. The Dutchman secured the title in 2015 and from 2019 to 2021, last year the Briton Tom Pidcock won, who did not start this time.
“I’m really very happy,” said van der Poel and, looking at his disappointed opponents, remarked: “After our careers, we’ll look back on our duels with great pride.”
Fem van Empel won the women’s race on Saturday. The 20-year-old Jumbo Visma driver started as one of the favorites in her home country and lived up to the role.
