Official: Mathieu van der Poels makes cyclocross debut this weekend

Mathieu van der Poel is on his way to cyclocross. After picking up the CX bike very recently and trying out new equipment, the Dutchman is officially coming back to racing at the Hulst World Cup this Sunday.

Dutch national team coach Gerben de Knegt has revealed the decision, talking about the former World Champion's comeback to the discipline where he's been the most successful. "I think we are all curious about Mathieu's return to the field. That certainly also applies to Mathieu himself. As a cyclo-cross rider you often need some time to pick up the technical skills at your first cross, but I am confident that Mathieu will soon get that routine back," he said.

As it had been rumoured several weeks ago when the race organizer of the Hulst Cross said the 'big three' (Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock) would be present. Wout van Aert will however resume racing at the Antwerp World Cup the following week, whilst van der Poel will make his debut closer to home.

Tom Pidcock has debuted his rainbow jersey this weekend, notably riding into a close second place in Overijse despite several accountsnof bad luck. "Last weekend you also saw with Tom Pidcock that men of this caliber quickly make that adjustment," de Knegt continued, assuring that van der Poel should also quickly reach his best results.

"The course in Hulst should certainly suit Mathieu, although we have to wait and see whether the weather will affect the surface there. But if that circuit is like in recent years, there are nice descents, some running sections and some fast parts. That is certainly something where Mathieu feels at home. I'm looking forward to Sunday," he concluded.