"I didn’t expect this myself today" - 1:15 minutes enough for Mathieu van der Poel to drop entire cyclocross field and win debut cross in Zonhoven

Monday, 23 December 2024 at 09:52

Mathieu van der Poel, like last winter, opened his cyclocross season with a victory after dropping his competition in a matter of just over a minute. A level above the rest, the World Champion won the World Cup Zonhoven this Sunday.

“And one that I didn’t really see coming. As I said before the start, I approached my first cross differently. I did a few less intervals and a few more endurance rides. I wanted to get through this busy period a bit fresher than last year," he said in a post-race interview. "But yes, I felt really good from the start. The technique was also really good, so I’m happy.”

Van der Poel will have his main goal at the World Championships in just over five weeks, but is already in an unmatchable form right from the start. “More than on schedule. I didn’t expect this myself today. I think it was to my advantage that it was such a tough cross. It was a bit less interval. I could just ride my own pace from the start. I’m really happy with the feeling I had.”

Read also

In the race that was highlighted by the sand sections, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider moved up from a third row start into the head of the race in just over a minute, and made the difference immediately in the sand. “I had a good start. In the beginning you can’t do much when you’re in the group".

"The last bend before we went to the Kuil (the track's famous sand pit, ed.), I actually took quite badly. I made another mistake. But I think I came out of the mud better than the rest. I was on the right track straight away, also when leaving the pit.” There was no competition, he did the entire race by himself, at the pace he wanted, quickly building over a minute's lead over everyone ele.

Read also

“I just rode a fairly constant pace, a pace that suited me well. When you are alone, you can divide the course a little better. I was able to catch my breath a little better for the technical parts. Then you also make fewer mistakes.” Thibau Nys finished second to him, 1:30 minutes behind.

Only hours before the race, Team Visma | Lease a Bike confirmed the absence of Wout van Aert from tomorrow's Zilvermeercross, where the two were meant to be racing against each other for the first time this winter. “I think that is a great shame. Certainly for him," van der Poel commented. "I think he, like me, enjoys doing a few races. He didn't have many on it and then this one falls away."

Read also

Mathieu van der Poel doing Mathieu van der Poel things 🌈

He started third row on the startline 🤯#CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZURFT56jaS
— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 22, 2024

claps 2visitors 2

"I saw him pass by once after a hundred meters and then he was already gone" - Mathieu van der Poel unreachable according to Joran Wyseure who podiums Zonhoven

"It lasted six years" - Tom Boonen reveals former teammate Lance Armstrong refused to talk to him; Johan Bruyneel hits back at Belgian legend

11 Comments

mobk 23 December 2024 at 20:39+ 1619

If you look at road alone obvi Pogacar is the better rider. But maybe MVDP is the better overall rider since he can win in three plus disciplines?

Mistermaumau 23 December 2024 at 09:43+ 3567

MVDP dominates this sport even more than Pogaçar dominates road racing.

Also he can beat Tadej on the road quite regularly, the opposite is unlikely.

vappaxbipmv 23 December 2024 at 16:59+ 847

And your point is what exactly?

Mistermaumau 23 December 2024 at 09:43+ 3567

Does everything need to have a point? If so, 99% of the internet should be wiped away.

In relation to recent articles with quotes from other riders, my statement points to the ever more obvious reason why they are asked to comment on the effect of his return.

vappaxbipmv 23 December 2024 at 17:00+ 847

So you're bored, got it

Mistermaumau 23 December 2024 at 09:43+ 3567

Wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t

averagecyclist 25 December 2024 at 08:39+ 238

The point is obvious: MVDP can beat Tadej on CX/Road and Tadej cannot. What is so hard to understand???

vappaxbipmv 23 December 2024 at 08:45+ 847

Why make a comment to state the obvious? Of course MvdP is much better at CX than Pogacar, does anyone doubt that
But that wasn't his point

Ride1974 23 December 2024 at 02:32+ 285

Debatable?

mij 23 December 2024 at 03:26+ 818

I wouldn’t assume Tadej can’t win at cross. He did a cross race, not a World Cup, a few years ago and crushed the field. It was a minor race. But he can win anywhere.

RidesHills 23 December 2024 at 06:04+ 718

If you look at the major races they’ve both been in, van der Poel had the early edge as lately Pogacar has had the advantage. It’s all on procyclingstats.

Just in

van der poel pogacar tour flandes imago1060680340

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!

Apr 06, 15:11

"On that day, Mathieu van der Poel cracked Tadej Pogacar’s code" - Jose De Cauwer recalls highlights of 2025's Spring Classics

Apr 28, 21:30

"I feel good about my form right now" - Joao Almeida continues build towards Tour de France at the 2025 Tour de Romandie

Apr 28, 20:00

"There are several reasons things turned out differently" - Team Visma | Lease a Bike look to justify lack of Classics success in 2025

Apr 28, 19:00

"I didn’t expect this myself today" - 1:15 minutes enough for Mathieu van der Poel to drop entire cyclocross field and win debut cross in Zonhoven

Read also

Read also

Read also

Just in

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!

"On that day, Mathieu van der Poel cracked Tadej Pogacar’s code" - Jose De Cauwer recalls highlights of 2025's Spring Classics

"I feel good about my form right now" - Joao Almeida continues build towards Tour de France at the 2025 Tour de Romandie

"There are several reasons things turned out differently" - Team Visma | Lease a Bike look to justify lack of Classics success in 2025

Popular news

American ex-pro urges to peloton to follow Team Sky blueprint in quest to stop Tadej Pogacar: "Analyse and adapt to Tadej’s tactics"

Chris Froome 'keeping the door open on racing in 2026' despite "shock to the system" at the 2025 Tour of the Alps

Eddy Merckx weighs in on G.O.A.T debate: "Tadej Pogacar reminds me of myself"

"Not the best preparation for the Tour de France... If I were the UAE team, I would be afraid" - Alberto Contador raises concerns for Tadej Pogacar long-term

Latest comments