Former champion Lars van der Haar reveals reason for missing out on European Championship medal: “I don’t remember much of the lap”

Lars van der Haar, the seasoned Dutch cyclocross star and two-time European Champion, couldn’t quite replicate his previous successes at the European Championships. The 33-year-old, who claimed the title in 2015 and 2021, put up a valiant effort but ultimately missed out on a podium finish.

Reflecting on his race, Van der Haar shared the challenges he faced during the final laps. "I just did everything I could and still hoped for a medal," he admitted to NOS. Despite his efforts, the strain of leading much of the race took its toll. “At the end you know it’s going to be tough when you’ve had to ride at the front for so long. Then you know you don’t have a serious last lap anymore,” he explained.

Van der Haar noticed early on that his form, while strong, wasn’t quite at its peak. “I noticed at the beginning that I was good, but not very good,” he reflected. A key moment came when Eli Iserbyt rejoined the front group, just as Thibau Nys and Felipe Orts launched a decisive attack. “When I was back and Eli Iserbyt dived into the post and those guys jumped over the beams, that was actually the death blow,” he noted, acknowledging the pivotal move by Nys and Orts. “Then you know you have to ride again with Iserbyt on your wheel.”

In a calculated decision, Van der Haar gambled on Iserbyt’s ambition to secure a podium spot, hoping he might take the lead. “At one point I gambled that Iserbyt also wanted to be on the podium, but it was actually only for a short time that he rode in the lead,” he shared. However, the fierce pace and unrelenting pressure ultimately caught up with him. "It went so fast, I don't remember much of the lap. It was tough."

Though the disappointment was evident, Van der Haar showed admiration for his teammate, Nys, who took the title. “It is really great for Nys. I just really wanted to win it myself. I didn't hold back because he was my teammate, I really rode to win today. But we lacked the men and legs to ride against that block,” he concluded.