Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel's reactions hours before decisive battle - "The mistakes are punished"

Hours before the start of the decisive race, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel have shared their opinions on the circuit and each other. Already having reconned the Hoogerheide track, they have different opinions on the conditions.

Van der Poel, who only checked the course this morning, told Sporza: "I always do that at the other crosses, that's why here too. There's not that much special about the course. The conditions are fairly dry. After 3 laps I know enough. I had hoped it would shift a little more, but it will only get drier. It is still difficult, but not super technical. And the mistakes are punished."

Asked if the bars, which have cause a lot of debate in the run-up to the race, will make a difference, he answers: "The bars? Everyone can jump, I don't think that will make a difference. Neither will the choice of tyres."

As for Wout van Aert he shared his thoughts as well this morning: "The lap can no longer be compared to yesterday. It dries completely, it is a lot faster. That's okay for me. That was also to be expected due to the sun and the wind. I hope it's not crucial (the start, ed.), that I'll be at the front soon. Where will I take up position? I already have an idea about that."