"The week is mainly about rest" - Mathieu van der Poel wins in Hamme but already thinking of World Championships

Mathieu van der Poel put on another stunning performance this Saturday in Hamme. The World Champion was victorious in the X2O Trofee Hamme and looks prepared for the Tabor World Championships after returning to his winning ways.

“I still feel tired from the tough training sessions in Spain, but that's not a problem. We expected that in advance. It wasn't bad, but it lacked some freshness," van der Poel shared in a post-race interview, also providing an update on his shoulder: "I still felt it a bit during the cross, but it is not an obstacle. I still felt that heavy training week in my legs, but that comes as no surprise.” It wasn't an easy win as Michael Vanthourenhout provided a difficult challenge, but ultimately the Dutchman had the legs to bring it home.

"Michael is always someone to be reckoned with. He was already strong last week and was certainly fine today. For me it was important to just do my own thing. It's always nice to win somewhere and this is a place where I also like to race. Especially when it has rained, it is always nice to race here. It's nice to have one again," he says. Tomorrow in Hoogerheide will be a more important challenge for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.

However, his main focus is already on the week that is to come, and the weekend on the Czech Republic that will follow. “Normally I fly to Tábor on Thursday, but next week it is important to get fresh. The week is mainly about rest," he concludes.