Mathieu van der Poel ahead of Zonhoven World Cup: "My back is still a bit stiff"

Mathieu van der Poel is no unknown to back issues, and at Koksijde they seemed to have reappeared, a sign of concern for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider. Heading into the Zonhoven World Cup race, he confirms that he still has bad sensations.

“My back is still a bit stiff. But I do hope that I can put more power on the pedals today and fight longer," van der Poel told Belga before the start of today's race in Zonhoven.

After last year's back problems, he was forced to cut his cyclocross season down to only two races, and take a month off the bike in January. Despite hampering his preparation for the road season, he went on to win Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour des Flandres.