Prior to the cross season it would have been viewed as a surprise. The chance that Van der Poel will win the World Cup has now become more realistic.
A man of Mathieu van der Poel’s status has not been concerned about the rankings for a long time. Just like Wout van Aert, he has already won them all. The aim of the UCI and Flanders Classics is to make the World Cup so attractive that the big names will aim for it again. For now that is in vain.
Until this season, because the World Cup can now certainly become a goal for Van der Poel. Even if it would be more of an accident. “Yes, yes, that is of course possible. I think I should perhaps have included Dendermonde.” Van der Poel therefore fears that he will ride just one World Cup cross too few times to win the classification.
Van der Poel will not participate in Dendermonde
He will skip next Sunday’s World Cup Cross in Dendermonde. However, he has already participated in the cyclo-cross organized by Jurgen Mettepenningen in the past. VDP came second in 2020 and 2021. A participation this season could also have been possible. “That has been on my mind for a while,” he admits.
Dendermonde is therefore not on his agenda, but there are also some World Cup races on Van der Poel’s limited cyclo-cross programme. His victories in Namur, Antwerp and Koksijde already earned him 120 points in the World Cup. “It’s not like I’ve made it a goal, but maybe it will happen.”
Van der Poel has already approached Sweeck
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Van der Poel is currently fourth in the World Cup standings, just 26 points behind leader Laurens Sweeck. What could be to Van der Poel’s disadvantage is that he may not start in the World Cup round in Benidorm after the New Year.
