Dutch national coach on Mathieu van der Poel: "I would understand it if he skipped a year. That boy can't do anything low profile, there's a camera on everything he does"

Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt is impressed by the form Mathieu van der Poel is carrying in his start of the cyclocross season. However he also sees the amount of attention the Dutchman gathers at the races and argues that he would understand if the World Champion skipped a year to avoid that.

"You can't say much else about it other than that Mathieu is just fine. It all seemed that way, but then you just have to show it. I have the feeling that Wout van Aert is not yet at his best level, so I hope he can improve a bit. However, now that he and Tom [Pidcock] are not participating in the World Championships, Mathieu is really the top favorite," Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt told In de Leiderstrui.

Van der Poel has taken three dominant wins so far this winter, all facing different competition. So far there have been no signs of stopping him, or even keeping up with him, and if he arrives with this form to Tabor in early February it will be very difficult for anyone to challenge him. However, his appearances in the crosses are also met with a lot of attention and pressure.

"I would understand it if he skipped a year. That boy can't do anything low profile, there's a camera on everything he does. So I could imagine if he doesn't want to do anything for a few months," de Knegt argues. That is backed up by the fact that pictures have been posted online of his vehicles now already on two occasions throughout the past few weeks at the starting area of events.

However, the attention does not seem to be affecting him in any way. De Knegt will be leading van der Poel at the Worlds, however he also feels a bittersweet emotion regarding the absence of his main rivals, who would have good chances of putting on a bigger spectacle. "It is a shame that they are not participating. This week I listened to a podcast by Thijs Zonneveld, in which he said that the most beautiful hour of winter no longer exists."

"Thijs was right about that. Everyone is always looking forward to the match,' said the national coach, who refuses to declare Van der Poel world champion. 'The World Championship also has to be held. Mathieu may also be unlucky or something, but of course that beautiful race from the previous World Championships still lingers. With a very nice outcome for us, that's why people come to the cross."