"I dare not call that the reason why Mathieu and Wout are not riding here now" - Superprestige Diegem organizers deeply disapointed to be only Christmas cross without the 'big two'

After the 22nd of the December all the way into the Cyclocross World Championships, either Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert will be present in all races with only a few exceptions. The national championships, Cyclocross Otegem and... surprisingly Superprestige Diegem, whose organizers were quite disappointed but also confused.

“What can we say to that? We thought Mathieu [van der Poel] would come. He has been riding here for twelve years in a row, he has won here eleven times," organizers Francis Bosschaerts said in conversation with Wielerflits. "We were certain that he would be there again. So it did come as a surprise. We also thought that he had a special bond with our race, because he has ridden here so often. We are very disappointed.”

This is a big deal for the Belgian race, part of the Superprestige series, which is the only race in the so called 'Christmas block' that will not have either (if you exclude the Hulst World Cup on the 21st December, which comes before they both start their season). Bosschaerts took this as quite a surprise, taking at least into consideration the consistency of Mathieu van der Poel's presences over the year.

“Someone like Mathieu simply decides where he wants to ride and where not. Then they send their contract, after which I have to sign it and pay the requested amount. There are never any negotiations about that. There was no contact this time," he reveals. "With most other riders, you can choose whether or not to accept their offer, and if necessary negotiate how much you want to give. But with Mathieu, Wout and Tom Pidcock, it is take it or leave it, if they want to ride with you".

Van der Poel will start his season on the 22nd, and then ride virtually every cross until the 5th January, with the only exceptions of Diegem and also the Cyclocross Gullegem on the 4th January where van Aert will be competing. “What the reason is, we don't know that either. Only Christoph Roodhooft and Mathieu van der Poel themselves probably know that. It is very disappointing, especially because we are one of the four organisations – besides Ruddervoorde, Merksplas and Gullegem – that do everything on their own. We don't really understand it.”

“Everything else belongs to Golazo and Flanders Classics. The financial aspect is more important there. We are so stupid to have worked for free for 30 years, but not everyone can do that. But I dare not call that the reason why Mathieu and Wout are not riding here now. We have always had them, there were never any problems from the start. We always have the best riders here. Not this time, but there is little we can do about that," he continues.

However this does not spell disaster for the race. This year spectator numbers have in many crosses been higher, many argue that the reason is actually the absence of the 'big two', which has led to very exciting battles in the men's events, no big favourite for any, and a very equal field that delivers high-octane action every weekend.

Bosschaerts tells that the number of spectators does not depend on the presence of the sport's two big stars, as shown by last year's event: “Last year Wout was also not there, and then we had 26,000 spectators. That was 6,000 more than the year before when they were both there. Fortunately, the advance sales are still going well, so we are not worried yet. It is even slightly more than in recent years. We usually have between 18,000 and 20,000 people. Last year was exceptional, but if we can clock around 20,000 that is more than good for Diegem.”

Van der Poel's presence is made more surprising by the fact that the race will collaborate with Belgian Youtube Average Rob once again, organizing the 'Turbo Cross', an event for a few famous figures, journalists and former pros, which proved to be a massive success last year. They are also counting on this to bring in the big numbers both on TV and in the field.

But besides that, the race will still feature a strong startlist with the pure cross riders. “We have always been an ambiance cross, and that is only going to get better. By the way, with European champion Thibau Nys and Puck Pieterse, the pure cross enthusiast will also get his money's worth. It might be the most exciting cross of the Christmas period without the dominance of Van der Poel and Van Aert," he concludes.