It had been a while since Mathieu van der Poel had spoken to the (Belgian) press. The double world champion interrupted that silence today during a training period in Spain. The 28-year-old Dutchman will enter the field from December 22.
Mathieu van der Poel is still young, but he is certainly an old man in the field. Is it still itching, about two weeks before the start of his cyclo-cross season?
“I’ve been doing it a little too long for that,” MVDP laughs off the question, “and maybe I’m also enjoying it a little too much here in Spain.”
“Last week I returned to Belgium for a few days and did 1 cross training. Today I trained on the beach for the 2nd time here in Spain.”
“My form on the road is good, but that is not always a reference for the cross. The basis is in order.”
The World Cup and that record is one of the reasons why I continue to race. Other than that I don’t have many goals in the field.
Mathieu van der Poel
The climax of Van der Poel’s cross calendar is in the first weekend in February. Then he will be aiming for a sixth world title in Tabor.
“I will definitely have to be in my best shape at the World Cup, whether Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock are participating or not. I have to be 100 percent.”
The record of 7 world titles – held by Eric De Vlaeminck – is a clear trigger. “It’s one of the reasons why I keep racing. Other than that I don’t have many goals in the field.”
“That record is a big challenge, but so is becoming world champion,” said Van der Poel, who does not expect any turn in the rest of the G3.
“Usually you stick to your planning. I suspect they won’t compete in the World Cup, but that doesn’t change my preparation.”
cyclocross calendar Mathieu van der Poel 2023-2024 race date can be followed live at Sporza Friday, December 22 Exact Cross Mol livestream Saturday, December 23 World Cup Antwerp livestream Tuesday, December 26 World Cup Gavere livestream Thursday, December 28 Superprestige Diegem livestream Friday, December 29 Exact Cross Loenhout livestream Saturday, December 30 World Cup Hulst (Ned) livestream Monday, January 1 X²O trophy Baal livestream Thursday, January 4 (Ned) livestream Sunday February 4 WK Tabor (Tsj) livestream
Reminds a reminder?
Says Paul Herygers: “One day Mathieu van der Poel will become a full-time motocross rider again.”
The Dutchman laughed today at that statement. “Someday, maybe in the distant future. But it’s certainly not in my mind right now.”
“It’s possible one day, if I can call it venturing out, with some MTB riding in the summer. I still like to do it, but it must continue to be useful.”
“If the team thinks that I can reach a better level without cross, then that is something to think about. A quiet winter in Spain would also be nice.”
“But I have had my best road season with a cross winter. That’s why I’m still doing it.”
“I don’t believe it has a negative effect, certainly not for me. I can always use competition, although it does take energy of course.”
If the team thinks I can reach a better level without cross, then that is something to think about. But I have had my best road season with a cross winter. That’s why I still do it.
Mathieu van der Poel
While a while ago, cross-country racing was almost considered a necessity for a road cyclist, scaling back now seems to be the mantra.
“It is a trend,” Van der Poel nods, “but again: motocross does not have to be a disadvantage. Although there are so many good road riders who don’t do it. You have options.”
Van der Poel cannot say how many crosses he has seen in recent weeks. “Mostly they were fragments, but I did follow it. It has already been a great season with many different winners.”
“I noticed Baloise-Trek Lions in general. They have done a good job preparing. And what Eli Iserbyt is doing is great. He rides everything and doesn’t really complain. That should be mentioned.”
Threat from the UCI
The cross calendar has been a hot topic in recent weeks. What does the world champion’s ideal calendar look like?
“I don’t think it should be adapted to us,” he says with conviction. By us, Van der Poel is referring to the signs, the G3.
“Cross is a separate discipline. We have to adapt to the calendar if we want to cross, not the other way around. I think the current calendar can continue to exist, I have no problem with it.”
And what about the World Cup? Should the date be brought forward to get all the top players at the start? “No,” says Van der Poel again. “That’s not the right approach.”
What then about the threat from UCI president David Lappartient? The president is threatening to ban participation in the World Cup if you are not at the start of World Cup cross-country. Van der Poel blows: “I have no opinion.”
“Anyone can ride the World Cup, even if you ride zero races,” he says after some insistence. “That’s your right. You don’t have to ride crosses to do that.”
“I understand that it is not that fun for them, but they have somewhat contributed to it themselves. I am not really concerned about it.”
2023-12-06 15:43:56
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