"A bit like the same type of cyclist as Mathieu van der Poel" - Under-23 CX World Champion Tibor del Grosso wants to follow footsteps of his leader

Alpecin-Deceuninck have a whole heap of talents in cyclocross, not only the reigning elite men's World Champion but also the under-23 rainbow jersey owner Tibor del Grosso. The 21-year old Dutchman is eager to follow in the footsteps of 'Matje' and believes he is a very similar type of rider.

"I tend to prefer the classics. I can also handle the light hill work. A bit like the same type of cyclist as Mathieu van der Poel. But then a bit less good," Del Grosso told Wielerevue. He also seeks to do the same type of calendar as the reigning cyclocross and gravel World Champion.

"I definitely plan to do that. There are enough guys who show that it can be very successful. I like to alternate, so I will continue to do so in the coming years. Sometimes it is a bit mentally tough to be on all year. But I also like to have a goal and I can't see myself going an entire winter without cyclo-ross."

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Del Grosso did not race a big schedule in the field last winter, but did win four out of the six World Cup races and then went on to take the world title in Tabor ahead of Emiel Verstrynge and Jente Michels. But on the road he also looked to compete a rather full season, from March to October, taking a few wins in the way whilst racing for the team's development structure - however competing with the elites on a few occasions.

He has a contract until 2027 and will move to the World Tour team in 2025 now, teaming up with the likes of van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen. "I hope to compete for victory in the biggest races one day. Then I dream of races like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. I hope to be at the front of the pack there in a few years," he adds.

"I don't know whether it would be an added value to start there next year. With Mathieu we have a top favourite in house and he needs to be supported as well as possible. If it comes, it comes. Otherwise I'll wait another year. It's true that more and more young riders are breaking through to the pros straight away, but the majority are simply at their best at 28. So I'm not worried about that," he concluded.

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