Mathieu van der Poel on relaxed return to cyclocross: "This time, Tom and I were chatting about cars, not the cyclocross"

Mathieu van der Poel put on a stunning performance yesterday in Herentals however it wasn't the fruit of a heavily focused preparation. The Dutchman arrived in his own car to the circuit and replied to some less serious topics on the happenings of the day.

"I do my best, but race days are busy with all the preparations. Time flies, and suddenly you're at the starting line," van der Poel told In de Leiderstrui following his victory. He was seen arriving at Herentals in a Lamborghini that curiously had 'MVDP' in the registration plate leaving no room for doubt. He was in casual street clothes and signed some autographs alongside some pictures before preparing for the race.

He and Tom Pidcock were both returning after a long winter of rest and riding in the sun back in Spain, however the Dutchman tells that the environment was very relaxed at the start and his conversation with his rival was in no way related to racing: "This time, Tom and I were chatting about cars, not the cyclocross," he reveals.

Also asked about his mullet, which he has grown for the last few months, the double World Champion finally provides an answer to a question that fans have been wondering. "I didn’t go to the barber while I was in Spain, so I just let my hair grow. My wife isn't too fond of it," he concluded.