"Tibor should be for Dutch cyclo-cross what Thibau Nys means for our country" - Cyclocross legend puts a lot of faith in Tibor del Grosso
Cyclocross
Without Mathieu van der Poel at the start of Dutch National Cyclocross Championships, the fans were up for an open race with several candidates for red-white-blue jersey. However at the end of the day, also this jersey goes to Alpecin-Deceuninck thanks to the 21-year-old promise Tibor del Grosso. The Dutchman would be a hot contender for one of the medals at elite World Championships, but instead of competing against MVDP, he opts to defend his U23 title.
"He has completely outgrown the U23 category," Bart Wellens writes in his Het Nieuwsblad column. "Winning as under-23 rider among and against the pros, that is something that few are given," Wellens opens about the young Dutchman. "He is the next top talent from the stable of the Roodhooft brothers. And another multi-talent. I have been following him for a number of years and immediately saw that he was a rider that I would like to have in our team."
Wellens sees that Del Grosso is in the right place at Alpecin-Deceuninck. "He can perfectly combine road and cyclo-cross there. Whether he can be compared to Mathieu (van der Poel, ed.), time will tell. It all has yet to begin, but with the level he is already at, you know he has a bright future ahead of him."
So far, the under-23 World Champion from Tábor keeps a low profile, but Wellens can see him become one of the 'poster boys' for the struggling Dutch cycling. "Tibor should be for Dutch cyclocross what Thibau Nys means for our country (Belgium, ed.), someone who keeps the interest in cyclocross alive," the 46-year-old Belgian thinks. "I just can't really assess Tibor yet."
"I haven't heard him make any deliberate statements that make you think 'Oh dear, what is he saying?'. But maybe that will come. His commercial value remains to be seen, but in terms of sport he is already a top performer," concludes the ex-cyclocross.
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