"I physically deserve third place, but not technically" - Lars van der Haar left with mixed feelings after just missing out on podium at cyclocross worlds

Lars van der Haar was one of the headliner at yesterday's World Championships' men's elite race, as he was close to the final podium after a roller-coaster race which led him to fourth place.

Van der Haar had the hole shot of the race, immediately taking to the front in the start of the race. “Maybe that wasn't very smart of me. I was able to pull through once and so I did something for Mathieu, but it took me one or two laps before I got through it," he commented.

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During those two laps he saw Michael Vanthourenhout and Gerben Kuijpers escape, and as the remaining Belgians looked to fight for the bronze medal, he found himself having to pace the chasing group. However van der Haar revealed great form as he pushed through with only Eli Iserbyt in the wheel, with both going through the rest of the podium contenders until the gap was stable.

The two had enough time to fight between themselves for the bronze medal, which like the fight for the victory, came down to the last meters. “I think I physically deserve third place, but not technically. Eli jumped well over the beams. I left him in the lead and made a tactical mistake there. I thought I could pass him for the beams, but I just couldn't," he details. 

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The veteran had to settle for fourth place, with the medals sitting just ahead. However he wasn't left feeling disappointed with that result. “I am proud that I was able to ride for third place, I did not expect that," he concluded.

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Eli Iserbyt 🇧🇪 takes bronze 🥉! Fantastic effort. #Hoogerheide2023

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