In Belgium and the Netherlands it is the national sport and it is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany: cyclocross. The dominator is currently once again: Mathieu van der Poel.
“I’m a little shocked at how far behind I am” – Wout van Aert could only shrug his shoulder on the nine-year anniversary at the finish area in Baal. The Belgian professional cyclist, something of a legend in his homeland when it comes to cyclocross, was clearly beaten in the New Year’s race in his homeland. It is actually clear who did it: it was Mathieu van der Poel, Aert’s “eternal rival”, who inflicted the devastating defeat on him.
“Hard, good day at work”
“It was a difficult but good first day of work in the new year,” said van der Poel soberly, summing up his victory, which was extremely impressive. With a travel time of 57:22 minutes, the 28-year-old Dutchman was 1:55 minutes ahead of van Aert at the finish of the super difficult course, third-placed Pim Ronhaar was already 2:44 minutes behind. Mud, puddles and deep ruts – the GP Sven Nys in Baal is considered one of the most difficult on the racing calendar.
It is part of an eight-part racing series – the “X2O Badkamers Trofee” – which has cult status in Belgium and the Netherlands. The racing series has existed under different names since 1987. The first naming sponsor was the Belgian newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen, then from 2012 to 2016 the bpost bank and from 2016 to 2020 the DVV Verzekeringen. The current sponsor (since 2020) and namesake is the Belgian sanitary equipment company X2O Badkamers.
van der Poel – undefeated in the 23/24 cyclocross season
The series, which attracts thousands of cycling fans to the track day after race day, includes eight Belgian races with a focus on the province of Antwerp and is one of the most important racing series in cross-country cycling. What is special is that the winner is determined based on the total driving time and not on a points system.
Mathieu van der Poel – world class off-road
World champion van der Poel started the third race and now won races three and four. He is still undefeated this season. What not everyone likes. At the World Cup race in Hulst two days earlier, when the winner was also von der Poel, video footage showed the Dominator slowing down shortly before the finish line and spitting on a group of Belgian fans.
Spitting attack after beer attack
The group had insulted the Dutch cycling star during the race and showered him with beer – van der Poel said succinctly about the incident: “I had enough of booing. What were they shouting at me? Ask them yourself, I won’t repeat it.” The organizers and the cycling association didn’t take it so lightly. As the website “Cyclingnews” reports, the Dutchman had to pay a fine of 250 euros.
Van der Poel’s all-round abilities have been written about many times. The 2023 season should be an example of this. After the world title in cyclocross in Hoogerheide in February 2023 (in the sprint against van Aert), he competed in the biggest classics on the road in the spring.
All-rounder – world class on the road and off-road
After second place in the Tour of Flanders, he won Paris-Roubaix with a 15-kilometer solo. After primarily acting as a rider for four-time stage winner Jasper Philipsen at the 2023 Tour de France, van der Poel competed in both the road race and MTB cross country at the 2023 Cycling World Championships.
van der Poel – world class on the road too
He won the road race after breaking away from a group of four with 22 kilometers to go. The 28-year-old won despite a fall with 16 kilometers to go. He became the first rider to become world champion in both cross and road. What van der Poel plans to do in 2024 is not yet entirely clear. The Cyclocross World Championships will take place in Tabor, Czech Republic, at the beginning of February. When it comes to the potential winner, everyone will first look at Mathieu van der Poel.