Pim Ronhaar was left disappointed yesterday at the
cyclocross World Cup Dublin when he was beaten on the final lap in a race
ultimately won by Michael Vanthourenhout. There was extra disappointment for
the 23 year old, considering this was one of the races he won last year.
The Dutchman caught up with In De Leiderstrui after the race
saying, “"I should have won this race. It’s my fault. I was a fool.”
Clearly, the Baloise - Trek Lions rider is very upset with his
performance, and he went on to say, "I was too slow in the last two laps,
and the moment I'm in position four or five for a moment, Eli.) spots it. And
he accelerates for two laps. I ride as fast as Eli but don't get any closer. If
I'm in position there, in those last two laps, then I win that race.”
Ronhaar ended up finishing down in sixth, 12 seconds off the
race winning time. "I could release my power, but I rode as hard as the
leaders. I then messed up that last mud section. If I'm in second or third
position there and can emerge from it with speed, then you win. Like Michael
(Vanthourenhout ) did. Everyone knew that, but I was just too slow today.
"You still hope for a moment, but it's a lap where you
must get in front as late as possible. I felt powerful the whole race and had
the impression I had everything under control. I knew what I had to do; Sven
also shouted that I had to sit in second position in the last lap. But yes, it
was too late. Stupid.
There is some reason to be happy for Ronhaar, as he said, “The
feeling is good, and I'm competing until the end. Week by week, it's improving,
and if there will be a real mud cross soon, I'll be competing for the win.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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