Niels Vandeputte reflects on battle in World Cup Besançon: "I think the course was almost perfect for me"
Cyclocross
Mathieu van der Poel wrapped up his 2024 cyclocross campaign in dominant fashion, winning the World Cup Besançon. The rainbow jersey wearer finished ahead of Toon Aerts, who claimed second place, and Niels Vandeputte, who secured third.
After the race, Vandeputte reflected on his performance, sharing his thoughts with the cameras, "I think I rode a good cross," the 24-year-old said. "I had a good start. I moved up to third place pretty quickly. Then I thought I would close the gap to Mathieu and Toon, but then Mathieu just put in his acceleration. I didn’t see him again. I was still able to close the gap to Toon."
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Despite his efforts, Vandeputte acknowledged the difficulty of staying with Aerts, "I was hoping to stay with Toon a bit longer, but I made a few mistakes here and there. After that it was hard to close the gap. I tried a few times, but I think Toon was just a bit stronger. To then finish on the podium with him and Mathieu is something I can be happy with."
Vandeputte also commented on the technical nature of the course, which suited his strengths, "It was a very technical lap. I think you could compare the lap a bit with that of Hulst, but Hulst was a bit more dangerous. But they were both very technical. I enjoy such courses, also with roots and such. I think the course was almost perfect for me."
Whilst Van der Poel is a long way in the distance, Vandeputte can certainly be happy with his very strong performance this weekend in France.
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- i know what you mean about willful misinterpretation, but it’s better for my peace of mind to just proceed as if everyone is being completely sincere.OCexile01-01-2025
- chapeau.OCexile01-01-2025
- yeah, i mean, i’ll bring this back to mathieu, which is where it started in this instance. now i realize there are MANY, MANY fans who dislike mvdp (and probably not ALL of them are belgians, but…) and scream and shout whenever van der poel crosses a finish line and completely COLLAPSES in a heap on the ground. they yell “FAKER!” “DRAMA QUEEN!” “DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION!” i can’t make ANY of that jibe with how i’ve seen this guy behave over the last 10+ years. i tend to take it at face value. the guy has a considerable engine and gas tank, and in some cases (amstel gold 2019, et al) he needs to and is willing to empty that tank in a way few others can or will. again, SOMEBODY has to be the best at this, because SOMEBODY is the best at EVERYTHING. mathieu is REALLY GOOD at doing THAT.OCexile01-01-2025
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- Just like speed limits on the road. It is impossible to exceed them.mobk01-01-2025
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