Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Tuesday December 24, 2024 at 3:50 p.m.
Former cyclo-cross world champion Richard Groenendaal ensured that Mathieu van der Poel's first two victories this season in the discipline have hit the morale of his opponents.
Mathieu van der Poel has already set the tone. After the World Cup round in Zonhoven, the Dutchman crushed the competition on the sand of Mol in the Superprestige. Each time, the wearer of the rainbow jersey pushed his rivals back by more than a minute with disconcerting ease. Questioned by the specialized Dutch-speaking site Cycling flash on the reasons for this domination, former world champion Richard Groenendaal confided that “the main reason is simply that he has always been the best”, even adding that he “has only become better” over time. time. “He followed a minimal road program in order to stay in shape and train very well,” he added. It now arrives fresh for these races. » The versatility of Mathieu van der Poel is also a factor that can explain this ease in disgusting the competition in plowing. “He uses a gear with three teeth more than the other riders,” says Rchard Groenendaal who had fun quoting a certain Adrie van der Poel. “The others don't ride enough on the road and that's why they fail,” he said while noting that the opponents of the reigning world champion “simply cannot ride on the road or, at least , not like Mathieu van der Poel can do it.”
Groenendaal: “There’s no point trying to follow him”
“If he had to race cyclo-cross from October to February, he wouldn't be able to do that either,” he adds. They are different riders and Mathieu van der Poel is simply the best. » But what the former wearer of the rainbow jersey, now director of the Ridley team, notes is the propensity of the Dutchman's opponents to give up as soon as he goes on the attack. “This was immediately evident in Zonhoven. They immediately set their sights on second place, he summarized. Mathieu van der Poel no longer needed to make much effort to widen the gap. It's no longer frustrating for his opponents because they know what to expect. There is no point in trying to follow him, it will never work. » The grandson of Raymond Poulidor must take part in eleven cyclo-cross events this season, concluding his program with the world championships in Liévin on February 2. Asked whether Mathieu van der Poel will be flawless, Richard Groenendaal assures that “it won’t be that simple”. “He just has to stay fit and healthy,” he adds. If he is not in good shape, he will not be able to win. But a fit Mathieu van der Poel exudes so much power that he will win everywhere. » Which should not reassure the Dutchman's opponents.
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