"The fact that Mathieu van der Poel is better at the moment is not an issue" - Mathieu Heijboer insists Wout van Aert is 'thinking about the bigger picture'

In their head-to-head contests this winter, it's now Mathieu van der Poel 5-0 Wout van Aert. Nevertheless, the Belgian's coach Mathieu Heijboer insists van Aert's form is positive ahead of his bigger objectives in the spring.

"The intention was to work on a solid foundation from November onwards. That worked out great. It is important for Wout to continue to build on that, and that is also fine," Heijboer explains in conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws, insisting van Aert continues to improve. "Day by day. And he also indicates it himself. He enjoys it, becomes more and more competitive and doesn't feel like a total loss afterwards. In that respect, I am completely satisfied with how things are going now."

Van Aert has made no secret of the fact that this winter, his cyclocross campaign is mainly for preparation ahead of the 2024 road season. "The competition package is deliberately kept small," Heijboer clarifies. "He still trains quite a lot. For example, the day after Heusden-Zolder he went running and cycled another 150 kilometers. We also do some strength training. If you really want to be okay right now, you don't do those things."

And despite the fact van der Poel has been so dominant, Team Visma | Lease a Bike remain relaxed. "The fact that he is better at the moment is not an issue," says Heijboer. "They are the naked results. But it is not a reference to the road season. We have to disconnect that. As long as Wout grows."