The decision comes out of tradition. Most riders have been in Hoogerheide for these past few days riding the track, and making sure they known every single line in order to perform at their best in the World Championships. Not van der Poel however who will only put his wheels on the ground in the circuit this Sunday morning, hours before the race. Hoogerheide is however a traditional race on the cyclocross circuit and with certainty the
Alpecin-Deceuninck rider knows about it quite well.
“How's the back? The last thing I know is it feels good," de Knegt answers. "I think he's good for it. It will be an exciting cross, I think he can be close. But we all know that the strong man from Belgium is also there."