Cyclo-cross: at what time and on which channel to watch the Worlds with Mathieu van der Poel?

Who could beat Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday at the Cyclo-cross Worlds in Tabor, Czech Republic? A fall ? A mechanical incident? Given the Dutchman’s insolent domination of the discipline, it would undoubtedly take an external element to deprive him of a sixth coronation.

Also relieved of his two great rivals who ended their winter season, the Belgian Wout Van Aert (the only one to have upset him this winter) and the British Tom Pidcock (winner in 2022), Van der Poel has the field free and set a career goal of equaling (or beating) the record of seven titles held by Belgian Éric De Vlaeminck between 1966 and 1973.

Van der Poel, title holder and also road world champion, has five crowns, at 29 years old. His main rivals will be his compatriots Lars van der Haar, Joris Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar. As well as the Belgians Michael Vanthourenhout, double European champion, Eli Iserbyt, World Cup winner, and Thibau Nys.

Zdenek Stybar’s farewell tour

The course set on the right bank of the Luznice river has something to please the winner of Paris-Roubaix and double winner of the Tour of Flanders, a fine technician who will appreciate the twists and turns with 60 turns in less than three kilometers (2,950 m to go nine times). Apart from a double passage on a large, fairly steep footbridge, three flights of stairs and two planks, the route does not present any great difficulties. The key will be to maintain the tempo and, at times, the explosiveness dear to the grandson of Raymond Poulidor.

“If it’s dry (which is the tendency), it will be very quick. That suits me…” announces Van der Poel, winner of 11 of his last 12 outings in the plowed fields. The three-time Czech cyclo-cross world champion Zdenek Stybar will make his farewell tour at home. The 38-year-old runner “judges the ideal moment for the end of (his) career”.

The elite men’s race of the Cyclo-cross World Championships will start this Sunday, February 4 at 3:05 p.m. It can be followed live on Eurosport 2 and L’Équipe Live.