Michel Wuyts praise Mathieu van der Poel - "Agile in the loins, finesse in every move, inimitable in the acceleration"

Belgian commentator Michel Wuyts is impressed with Mathieu van der Poel. He admired Van der Poel's performance in Hulst, which was the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider's debut this winter.

He writes in his column in Het Laatste Nieuws. "I enjoyed his superior style in Hulst. Agile in the loins, finesse in every move, inimitable in the acceleration. Sovereign. That he piled up mistakes didn't bother me. Van der Poel guarantees slips. They are inherent in his actions. Not one other crosser cherishes risk the way he does."

Van der Poel will take part in UCI World Cup Antwerpen this Sunday. "To banish his Australian murmurs, continuing to win is the ideal remedy. Until Van Aert is on the cut, the road is open. I express the firm hope that the Belgian public will not pick on Mathieu for that image dent. Please, no degrading banners like the one to Groenendaal once. That was beyond shame in Nys' time," concluded Wuyts.

The Dutchman crashed today at the Superprestige Boom, but has seemingly felt better towards the end of the race and will hope the effects of the injuries aren't felt this Sunday.