Cyclocross: Van der Poel reveals plans for the cyclocross season
After Mathieu van der Poel's cyclocross season started in November last year, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider decided to start this year's cyclocross season later. "I will start my cyclocross season at the end of December and then do a bit like last year, 10 to 15 races with the World Championships as the last race (drive; editor's note.)," explained van der Poel on the Eurosport programme La Montonera on Sunday.
Shorter cyclocross season for Mathieu van der Poel
The reason for the world champion's ever shorter cyclo-cross season is said to be the low number of major victories he can achieve in this discipline. He has therefore concentrated more and more on the road races in recent years, even if the focus on the five-time elite cyclocross world champion's defence of his title at the World Championships in February can be regarded as probable.
"Switching between disciplines is something I really enjoy, not having to do one thing all year round. But I don't really have any big goals left to achieve in cyclocross. So I've focussed a bit more on the road," says the Dutchman, explaining his late start to the season.
Focus on road racing
The increasing focus on the road has paid off: "I was very lucky this year - I still had a few dreams (on the road; editor's note)and this year I was able to tick off three of them in one season (Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix and the World Championships; editor's note). It's been an incredible season for me, I've really enjoyed it and I'm already looking forward to next year to ride in this jersey in the classics."
The next road season is already being planned. Van der Poel's debut at the Vuelta a Espana is also a possibility. "I'm thinking about it, we don't know what I'm going to do yet, but the Vuelta is an option for next year." First up, however, are the planned 10-15 cyclocross races.
Cyclocross race between the big three?
In the run-up to this year's World Championships, the so-called "big three", consisting of Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock and Mathieu van der Poel, fought some thrilling battles in cyclocross last December. Whether there will be such head-to-head races again this year is questionable - the other two riders have not yet publicised their cyclocross calendars.
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
