Mathieu van der Poel immediately struck at his first appearance as a cyclo-cross rider this season. The four-time cyclocross world champion won the Vestingcross in Hulst in Zeeland by force majeure. “I felt good and had a good preparation in Spain”
Van der Poel was of course satisfied with his first success as a cyclo-cross rider since winning the world title in January 2021 in Ostend. “It has indeed been a long time since I won a cross. But last winter doesn’t really count, I drove a race and a half then.”
He had to start the game at the back of the field. Because he rode very little in the field last year, he has dropped in the UCI world rankings. Despite his start in the rear, Van der Poel quickly moved up to the front of the race.
“I’m really happy with my form, although there is still work to be done.”
The best cyclocross rider in the Netherlands had the most to fear from world champion Tom Pidcock in Hulst. The Brit looked on his way to second place, but a fall and the resulting equipment failure forced him to retire.
Van der Poel wants to ride at least fifteen cyclocross races this winter and is aiming for his fifth world title, to be won in Hoogerheide at the beginning of February. “I’m really happy with my form, although I still need work to reach my top level. I made some mistakes, but that’s normal. I still need a few games.”