"It's better to be the favorite than not be mentioned at all": Tibor del Grosso not pressured by growing expectations

Transition from under-23 cyclcross star to top rider in elite category is never easy. But that doesn't apply for Tibor del Grosso who made it seem like a light work and became a permanent feature on World Cup podium, and even won two Superprestige rounds.

If Thibau Nys is seen as successor of Wout Van Aert in Belgium, the Dutch fan can lean back in their sofa because Del Grosso will be a more than fair substitute for Van der Poel once his older teammate hangs up his cyclocross bike.

And so already in January, Del Grosso can look back at his winter with a sense of fulfillment. "It actually went even better than expected," he told Golden Palace News. "I secretly hoped to make a step forward compared to last year. Trying to win in the elite category was the goal, and I managed to do it twice."

In absence of Mathieu van der Poel at the National Championships in Huijbergen, the defending champion Del Grosso will be the man to beat. "That seems like a logical consequence of the results. But that's okay. In my opinion, it's better to be the favorite than not be mentioned at all."

The Dutchman in any case seems to be growing into a rider for big races with back-to-back under-23 world titles from 2024 and 2025 to his name. "I don't just ride well at championships, but also in the weeks surrounding them," he explains. "That makes a difference, I think."

"I don't buckle under pressure, that's true. Still, I do experience some tension sometimes. You might not notice it that much about me. But I'd rather call it healthy nervousness. For example, when you're going into the final with several riders, like in Diegem, or if you crash at a bad moment, like in Zonhoven. But I manage to channel that well."

Thanks to his performances - both in cyclocross and on road - Del Grosso can no longer be overlooked when naming favourites for any race. And the 22-year-old loves the attention. "It's grown gradually, even during the road season I was occasionally in the spotlight," he notes. "I mainly try to stay true to myself. That helps, as does the occasional touch of humor."

This Sunday, riders will compete in Huijbergen. The venue is not on the calendar annually, but Del Grosse has his own share of experience from the location: "I mainly remember the sandy slope and the dune. Although the course now has less elevation gain than before because the Nootjesberg has apparently disappeared, with the current weather conditions, I expect a tough race. Everyone will find their place."

"Without Mathieu van der Poel, I'm thinking of names like Lars van der Haar, Pim Ronhaar, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Mees Hendrikx, and Ryan Kamp," Del Grosso names his main rivals. But he can't quite pinpoint the one to whom he will pay the extra attention. "The form of the day will determine who performs best."