Mathieu van der Poel Dominates Yet Again in Latest Cyclo-Cross Win

Untouchable. Unbeatable. Unplayable. There will be a shortage of qualifiers to describe Mathieu van der Poel’s cyclo-cross season. Once again above the pack in Zonhoven, the gifted Dutchman won another round of the World Cup. This is the 10th victory in 10 races contested this season for the world champion. He is ahead of Joris Nieuwenhuis by 20 seconds and Laurens Sweeck (22 seconds) at the finish line.

In the absence of Wout Van Aert and Thomas Pidcook on the starting line, victory seemed promised to him. And it didn’t take long to take shape. After a quiet start to the race, in the lead car, MVP made a lightning acceleration at the start of the 4th of eight laps. After just 23 minutes on the bike, he flew off with disconcerting ease, leaving his competitors to see the damage.

A lightning acceleration

In the space of barely 30 seconds, the brilliant Dutchman had already made the hole, combining power and control as usual. Three laps from the finish, he had a comfortable cushion over the pack of his pursuers. The Nieuwenhuis, Sweeck or Pronhaar were reduced to fighting to be the “best of the others”.

Overcoming the difficulties almost every time on his bike, where most of the competitors dismounted, Mathieu van der Poel then managed his effort until the end of the race to win another victory. Since December 16, this is the 10th victory for the flying Dutchman. And already his third in this year 2024 which he is continuing in the best possible way.

Reassuring race for Iserbyt

Eli Iserbyt, leader of the general classification of the World Cup, finished in a reassuring 6th place. A week after spending a night under observation in hospital due to dehydration, he finished 1 minute and 11 seconds behind the Dutchman. The Belgian only loses 10 points on Joris Nieuwenhuis and maintains a 25-point lead in the standings with two races remaining in this World Cup.

Mathieu van der Poel

Credit: Getty Images

2024-01-07 15:42:00
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