🏆 Kiremko Nacht Van Woerden (C2) 🇳🇱 1 🇳🇱 Lars van der Haar 2 🇧🇪 Michael Vanthourenhout 3 🇳🇱 David Haverdings 4 🇳🇱 Pim Ronhaar 5 🇳🇱 Mees Hendrikx ➡️ Results: bit.ly/4fbOT0W
Lars van der Haar confirms Koppenbergcross and European Championships next week: "There had to be a decent proposal"
CyclocrossWednesday, 23 October 2024 at 15:30
Lars van der Haar is in good form and has confirmed it last night at the Nacht van Woerden. The Baloise - Trek Lions rider has achieved a lot throughout his career, but perhaps the most impressive one are the now eight consecutive wins in the Dutch race. He tells how he will also race the Koppenbergcross and European Championships next week despite the very tough schedule.
"I was in the camper, had explored the course thoroughly and rode hard during the warm-up. I knew that there were a few young riders who had not ridden here very often. So I thought: if I get the chance, I'll just go flat out for two laps and then see how it goes', the Dutchman shared with Wielerflits following the race.
"The disadvantage of this course is that it is difficult to create a gap and then expand it, so you have to go full throttle all the time. As soon as you are at top speed, the riders behind you also get into their rhythm and ride at the same pace. Only in the last two laps could I ease off a bit". However this is the perfect tactic, and one the Dutchman executed to perfection. He took off right at the start of the race and with a dominant performance, managed to comfortably take the victory in one of the sport's most iconic races.
Now this weekend comes the second Superprestige round in Overijse which will be important for his ambitions, and on the 1st of November the first round on the X2O Trofee at the Koppenbergcross, one of the most presitigous tracks on the circuit. However the race comes only two days prior to the European Championships which will take place in Pontevedra, Spain, quite far away from the traditional locations.
"The team did not care and I also wanted to ride the Koppenberg, but then there had to be a decent proposal, otherwise I would not have done it," he adds, confirming that there will likely be a meaningful starting fee that was used to convince him. "I am in shape, I want to go for it and then I always have a chance".
He explained the logistical challenge that will take place next week to assure that he will have the best chances of performing on the 3rd of November. "During the Overijse Cross (this Sunday, ed.) I will send a bike ahead with a camper, so that I can ride the Koppenberg[cross]. After the Koppenberg a van with material will go to Spain. I will fly to Portugal on Saturday and then travel by car to Spain. I would have preferred a different schedule, but a different date for the Koppenbergcross was out of the question," he concluded.
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