Limited participation of top players
In the conversation HUMO refers to the world title of Mathieu van der Poel in 2025, achieved for Wout van Aert in Thibau Nys. The question that arises is whether it remains balanced when two top riders only start sporadically. Bakelants responds by stating that their presence has a clear impact on the course of the season.
He emphasizes that he believes their participation has a noticeable effect on the experience of the sport. “You see the cross liven up when they participate. Otherwise it’s like crying,” the analyst tells the weekly.
He also points out Van der Poel’s dominant level. “Van der Poel makes it monotonous, but people are attracted to such figures.”
Problem of the cross
Bakelants also refers to the course of the world championship. “For Wout, the World Championship was over before it started: he had to put his foot down in the first corner.” He further outlines that Van Aert still made up a lot of ground despite that setback.
Finally, Bakelants places the situation in a broader evolution within the sport. “Cross has a problem, especially now that it is largely behind a paywall on television: gravel is becoming more and more popular and is much more international,” is his conclusion.
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