"When Mathieu and Wout return, the tension will be gone" - Zdenek Stybar admits there are negatives on Van der Poel & Van Aert's cyclocross return

The early winter has seen plenty of excitement in the cyclocross programme as the likes of Eli Iserbyt, Thibau Nys, Laurens Sweeck and more have taken victories from a reasonably evenly matched field. With the return of Wout van Aert imminent and more information Mathieu van der Poel's calendar expected, could the excitement soon be gone?

Three time cyclocross world champion Zdenek Stybar retired from racing earlier this year, and in his analysis for De Zondag, the 38-year-old Czech pointed out the pros and cons of Van der Poel and Van Aert's return to the field.

"When Mathieu and Wout return, the tension will be gone, especially if they reach the level of the past winters," Stybar begins, noting how the superstar duo are more often than not, far above the level of the aforementioned Iserbyt, Nys, Sweeck and co, somewhat removing the drama of the battle for victory, especially if only one of Van Aert or Van der Poel are present. 

"Everything has its pros and cons, because with them you get more spectators," Stybar continues though, casting an eye of the positives. "Apart from that, I don't know what Mathieu's exact plans are. I haven't seen him for a while, but he will be top right away. His basic level is so high."

The level of Van Aert is a little less clear. The Belgian has had a crash-affected 2024, not having raced competitively since abandoning the Vuelta a Espana in the third week. Stybar though, has little doubt about Van Aert's capabilities to get back to winning ways in the six races he has been announced for this winter.

"I also know how it feels to have your best legs and to have such a setback. Mentally, it must be very hard for him, especially because he has had so much bad luck for two years in a row," Stybar concludes. "Fortunately, Wout is good at putting things into perspective, is strong in his head and has the right people around him. I am convinced that he will return to the highest level."