Starting the new year with a bang 💥 @mathieuvdpoel wins the first CX race of 2024 after again a powerful solo. 8 out of 8 for the World Champion! 🌈 #AlpecinDeceuninck #MVDP
"People always talk about the Big Three, but this winter we see that there is only one" - Mathieu van der Poel in his own category according to Lars van der Haar
CyclocrossWednesday, 03 January 2024 at 15:30
Mathieu van der Poel is on a category of his own this winter in cyclocross. Although the term 'big three' was popularized over the past few years in men's racing, Lars van der Haar argues that the term is not really accurate this season as there is one clear outlier.
"Mathieu is bizarre. People always talk about the Big Three, but this winter we see that there is only one. Pidcock is a big gentleman, but he can't always do it in cyclocross. Wout has made a clear choice for the road and you can now see that in the cross winter, which you have to prepare specifically for," Lars van der Haar told In de Leiderstrui. "They have always both done that preparation, but Wout did not do that this year. And then you see that it will be very difficult to reach the level of Mathieu, who has done it."
Whilst Pidcock has won in Namur, he's struggled in a few races with inconsistency. Wout van Aert not so much, but has finished second to van der Poel on multiple occasions. However, distant second places. Whilst not all races proved to be smooth sailing for the World Champion, on most of his eight out of eight victories he's had a gap of around or over a minute, and on several of these occasions he attacked solo off the front in the first minutes of the race. For the time being, not being hampered by any injuries or illnesses, nothing indicates that his form will take a hit in the upcoming month of racing.
Van der Poel won't be present in the national championships however, which means van der Haar may go on to defend his title. However he will find tough competition in... his own teammates. "That National Championship will certainly be an important race, also for my teammates Pim Ronhaar and Joris Nieuwenhuis. And I also expect Ryan Kamp. It will be very strange to race against my teammates, but I think it has to be done," he tells. "It's the same as with your friends, you don't want to mess with them. Anyway, we have to go into it the same way and then shake hands."
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