In an surprising twist, Mathieu van der Poel will go up towards Wout van Aert on Sunday for a shot on the cyclo-cross males’s world title in Liévin, northern France on the weekend.
Not like Van der Poel, Van Aert was initially not scheduled to compete within the worlds however as a result of his type on the CX area in current weeks it was introduced that he’ll now be on the beginning line. Any duel between the longstanding rivals is all the time extremely anticipated, whether or not it’s on or off street, though the 2 caked in mud going after the cyclo-cross rainbow jersey is particular.
The duo loved an epic battle in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands in early February two years in the past, which supplied loads of fringe of your seat moments. Van der Poel gained that battle, earlier than happening to win once more – with Van Aert absent – final 12 months.
Attaining a seventh can be a outstanding feat on Sunday however the presence of Van Aert in France will make issues removed from simple. Van Aert has three world titles to his title and his current outcomes counsel he will likely be firmly in competition in Liévin. We’ve put collectively a abstract of each rider’s type going into the elite males’s race in France on Sunday.
Mathieu van der Poel
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The flying Dutchman has gained eight of the races he has began this winter out of the 11 he was initially as a result of compete in. Much more spectacular. when his type, is that the ultimate 4 victories got here regardless of him struggling with a fractured rib that he picked up over the festive interval.
He kickstarted his cross marketing campaign with victory on the Zonhoven spherical of the UCI World Cup in Belgium earlier than he then adopted that up 24 hours later with one other win on the Superprestige Zilvermeercross in Mol.
Subsequent up was the Boxing Day conflict on the UCI World Cup in Gavere, Belgium which was a much more carefully run affair, with Van der Poel edging out Belgium’s Michael Vanthourenhout by 26 seconds. He then secured the victory in Loenhout the next day by 14 seconds forward of Nys regardless of fracturing his rib in a mid-race crash.
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Three straight victories then adopted at UCI World Cup rounds in Besançon, France, Maasmechelen in Belgium and Hoogerheide within the Netherlands to make sure Van der Poel is effectively and actually arrange for a shot at a seventh world title.
“Pleasantly stunned,” Van der Poel stated when requested how he felt on studying Van Aert would participate. “It’s all the time good to race towards a rider like him, however there are different names I’m additionally keeping track of. Thibau Nys is somebody who can rise above himself in a championship. Michael Vanthourenhout can also be in good type.”
Wout van Aert
(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Van Aert began his cyclo-cross marketing campaign later than his rival and was solely initially scheduled to race six races this winter. This resolution was made as a result of him maintaining one eye on the beginning of the Classics and in addition the very fact he was getting back from harm.
The four-time World Champion began his season at Loenhout, the identical race Van der Poel obtained his harm, and managed fourth place behind the Dutchman. This was adopted by two victories on the Superprestige Gullegem occasion and the Dendermonde spherical of the UCI World Cup. Van der Poel was not on the startline for both of these two victories.
The Belgian rode the Benidorm spherical of the World Cup and completed fourth behind total winner Thibau Nys. He accomplished his preliminary schedule by taking second in Maasmechelen behind Van der Poel. On his resolution to take part within the Worlds and face his rival for a shot on the rainbow bands, Van Aert stated that being on the startline in Lievin will assist his preparation for his upcoming targets on the street.
“I’m feeling good, and my winter has gone effectively,” he stated. “The World Championships solely lately got here into my thoughts and after Maasmechelen the Belgian group coach, my coach at Group Visma | Lease a Bike and I made a decision to compete.
“I’m excited to start out in such a good looking race, and I believe that this further increase is doing me good within the lead-up to greater targets on the street. Clearly the preparation has been very totally different, however I’ll give it my greatest.”
Methods to tune in
Our full information on easy methods to watch the entire upcoming biking occasions as a result of happen comprises all the knowledge it’s essential to catch the Cyclo-cross World Championships this weekend.