David van der Poel left off Cyclocross World Championship team - "Of course, I knew for a long time, but still, you hope for it"

David van der Poel will not be taking part in the World Championship for cyclocross at Hoogerheide, as the national coach had other plans for him.

"Of course, I knew for a long time that it was difficult, but still, you hope for it because things keep getting better," Van der Poel told WielerFlits. He did not have a great season, and as a result, national coach Gerben de Knegt decided to pick someone else for the cross.

He further added, "He wanted to communicate it personally. It wasn't a long conversation. We have had frequent contact in recent weeks and Gerben had already clearly indicated how and what. He took all the results and thought again, but nobody fell through the lower limit. As a result, I don't qualify for the World Championship. As I only showed my level in about five crosses, Gerben chooses a crosser who has been doing that all season. Logical."

He is on the reserve list, ready to step in if any of the selected riders are unable to participate. "Of course, something can still happen in the Besançon World Cup next weekend. Of course I don't hope for that. But if it happens, I'll be ready to go to the World Cup anyway. My results have been on an upward trend since Zolder - apart from the NK and Otegem. I also really feel I can do something at the World Championships, so that's a shame. On a really good day, I can finish between spot eight and thirteen. For me, that wouldn't be bad," said van der Poel.

The Besançon World Cup could be the last opportunity for him to compete alongside his brother in a cross race. "A round that should suit me, with not too much fair. The chances are fairly good that it will be the last time I go on a cross-country campaign with Mathieu. Pretty crazy to pronounce that, because it's getting close now. Sunday will be a bit strange when I start to realise then that it might be the last time."

Even though he won't be present at the starting line, he will be there to support his brother during the event. “Now, it will be an exciting afternoon. At home, because in front of the TV, you can see everything about the cross much better. But the fact that it is in Hoogerheide and close to home makes it special. So maybe it's also special to experience that World Cup from the field," concluded van der Poel.

De Team NL-selectie voor het WK Veldrijden in Hoogerheide is bekend https://t.co/SqkycnWlkq

— KNWU (@KNWU) January 25, 2023