Alpecin Fenix, Van der Poel operated on a knee

He had already stopped due to back pain that interrupted the cross season early, to the point that Mathieu Van der Poel will not defend the title at the American World Cup at the end of January. So the Dutchman of the Alpecin-Fenix ​​took the opportunity to undergo a knee surgery on Saturday in Herentals, as he had suffered a tear in a patella in a recent fall. The first results of this light operation, according to the press release of his Alpecin-Fenix ​​team, have already been positive according to the doctor Toon Claes who follows him. He should be able to resume his road season preparation when his back is no longer bothering him. However, the date of his return to the group is still uncertain. Van der Poel is one of the great stars of contemporary cycling, capable of excelling on the road, in cross and even in mountain biking.