“I don't think I rode a good cross” – Lars van der Harr disappointed despite Superprestige podium

Lars van der Haar took third place in the final round of the Druivencross Overijse, a solid result, but one that left the Dutch rider feeling unsatisfied. Despite securing a spot on the podium, van der Haar expressed disappointment with his performance after the race.

“I think I was much better than I showed today,” Van der Haar told Wielerflits. “I was a bit too scared to do anything. My legs didn’t feel how I wanted them to feel. But when it was really hard, I felt I could still go hard on the climbs. I could come back after mistakes. If I had raced more, maybe more would have been possible. But when you see what Thibau did today, it doesn’t matter to the team.”

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Looking ahead, van der Haar is hoping for a stronger showing at the upcoming Koppenbergcross. "Maybe a bad dress rehearsal is good for the Koppenberg," he suggested. "I think I just need to have a bit more confidence in myself. Sometimes the legs are better than they feel."

Reflecting further on his race, van der Haar noted, “I made some mistakes here and there, like I said, but on those climbs I was still able to ride up quite a bit. That made me realise that it might still be possible against Niels if I could ride away before the sprint. It's a shame that I just couldn't ride up to Eli.”

Despite his third-place finish, van der Haar's comments reveal a rider still searching for that perfect race execution, hinting at the potential he believes he has yet to fully display this season.

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