"The explosiveness is also starting to come back" - van der Haar victorious at Nacht van Woerden and eyeing European title

Lars van de Haar has selective goals for the 2022-2023 season, and is looking to build his form perfectly towards his defense in the European Championships. Last night however, he took the win at the Nacht van Woerden, his second of the season.

At the end of the night-time race in the Netherlands, van der Haar admitted in an interview with Wielerflits: “I really wanted to win because there are a lot of friends and family here. Of course you're nervous, because that doesn't happen that often. When it's so close to home, you want to do your best."

The Dutchman has had a strong and consistent season so far, and began the race as the main favourite following the absences of the likes of Eli Iserbyt, Michael Vanthourenhout and Laurens Sweeck. He ended up going head-to-head with Quinten Hermans who is building his way up into the European Championships, but has shown to have the best legs on the day.

“It was great fun against Quinten. We put in a great fight together and made a great race. I really wanted to be one step ahead of the rest, unfortunately that didn't work out. But luckily I was better in time to do all the races," he commented.

This weekend's World Cup race in Maasmechelen will be an important one, as will the famous Koppenbergcross set to take place next week. On the 5th of November however, van der Haar will be called to defend his European stripes in the difficult circuit of Namur. That is currently his main goal in mind

“... That is going really well again and that is useful towards the European Championship. The explosiveness is also starting to come back. I'm going to need that to be able to participate in that European Championship," he continued.

Asked about his current feelings on the battle he anticipates in Namur, van der Hair responded: "Eli Iserbyt has an edge. Michael Vanthourenhout is daring for me and I think Quinten Hermans and Laurens Sweeck are the question marks. But I hope to have a good fight and I think I can be close.”