"I felt like my legs weren't as strong" - Tibor del Grosso second again to van der Poel ahead of Hulst World Championships

Tibor del Grosso has finished second once again at the Hoogerheide World Cup race, after having the same result in Maasmechelen, and has put himself in a strong position to gather a medal at the Hulst World Championships. He didn't have the easiest of times in the final World Cup of the season but nevertheless managed to race into second place ahead of Thibau Nys.

Early in the race, as usual, Mathieu van der Poel attacked out of the group and rode onto a comfortable solo win. Behind everyone was looking for second spot on the road, but it looked evident that in the non-selective race, it would come down to the final lap. "It was incredibly difficult and tactical with that large group fighting for second place".

Thibau Nys attacked and tried to take a gap into the final road section that led to an uphill sprint, but the gap was not enough, and from the slipstream, del Grosso managed to once again beat the Belgian national champion to the line. Hence, like the day before, Alpecin did a perfect podium with van der Poel, del Grosso and Niels Vandeputte finishing ahead of Nys.

This wasn't fully expected by the end of the race, as del Grosso was quite worn out. However, he has proven his current form ahead of what will be one of the biggest goals of his season. "No, not at all. When I accelerated coming out of the last corner, I felt like my legs weren't as strong anymore," del Grosso said in words to Telenet Play Sports. "Thibau also rode a strong sprint, but it's just a tricky finish. Niels also came out of nowhere."

In Hulst, the course will be very technical and whilst van der Poel will be the ultimate man to beat in the course, del Grosso has put himself as the favourite to capture the silver medical, as he has proven to be perhaps the second best technical rider in the field.