“That title is even more rewarding than fifth place among the elite" - Tibor del Grosso takes U23 Dutch National Title

Tibor del Grosso took victory in the under-23 race at the Dutch National Cyclocross Championships on Sunday afternoon in Hoogeveen, much to his understandable delight.

“That title is even more rewarding than fifth place among the elite riders,” the promising Alpecin-Deceuninck talent said in conversation with Wielerflits post-race. “I think it's great that things went well with the elite again, but the most important thing is that jersey for the promises."

Del Grosso was the heavy favourite for the title pre-race and lived up to the expectations. “That doesn't change much. I've also had that with the World Cups lately. I deal with that just fine," he says, clearly unbothered by the pressures of favouritism. 

The main threat to his victory was actually a pre-race illness. "I had been a bit ill, so I was more concerned about that. On Tuesday I still had the flu. It wasn't ideal, but from Thursday I could cycle again. It was good enough,” he reveals. “But illness never comes at an ideal time. And I was also sick a few weeks ago."

"On Tuesday I'm going to Spain to find the sun. So I don't adjust my preparation accordingly: I was going to a training camp anyway and I'm doing Benidorm during that internship,” he concludes. "We still have two moments before the World Championship. I will see how they go."