17/01/2024

"I am anything but anti-World Cup. I am pro-cross" - Lars van der Haar fires back after UCI chief's criticism of him

On Sunday, Lars van der Haar had to settle for third at the Dutch National Championships. Post-race though, the Baloise - Trek Lions star was keen to hit back at the public criticism of him from UCI CEO, Peter Van den Abeele.

“Sometimes I don't understand the riders very well. Certainly Lars van der Haar," the cyclocross boss recently told Wielerflits amidst growing criticism of the UCI World Cup schedule. "He was often very anti-World Cup in his statements. What should we do then? A compact World Cup with a round every Saturday and Sunday, from mid-December to the end of January? That is also possible."

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Understandably, van der Haar hasn't taken too kindly to these statements, revealing to Wielerflits himself that he's made personal contact with Van den Abeele to air his grievances. “I told Peter that I regret that he said it that way, because I am anything but anti-World Cup. I am pro-cross and pro-everything,” van der Haar retorts. “I've always thought it's a bit too much. I think you are now seeing the consequences of that. When you hear Timon Rüegg's story that cyclocross in Switzerland is no longer alive because of the World Cup, that's just a shame.”

“I think there are many possibilities to create a wonderful World Cup that everyone is satisfied with,” continues van der Haar. “We still have to look at the calendar, but Peter also said: 'Where there is work, there are always people who complain.' I was one of them now, but I just hope they make something beautiful out of it and I definitely think it will be better if it is a little less.”

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Despite it all, van der Haar believes Van den Abeele remains the best man for the job. “I sent him a message. I've never spoken to him before that, but he's certainly open to it. I see Peter as a very good UCI coordinator, so I think things are going well,” Van der Haar emphasizes. “But sometimes it is not smart to do everything through the media.”

“I have been opposing this for five years. And if you have a big mouth, then it is more than right that questions are asked about that too. I hope things go in the right direction. I'm glad things are changing. Whatever that will be, we'll see. This is certainly a good start,” the Dutchman concludes.