New opportunity for Wout Van Aert to win. He will be entered this Sunday in the Dendermonde cyclo-cross while Mathieu Van der Poel will be absent. Indeed, the Dutchman injured his ribs during a fall during the race in Loenhout on December 27. He has withdrawn from the X20 Trophée de Baal and Koksijde will not be present at the start in Dendermonde either.
“There’s no point in waiting any longer. I did another test today and it is clear that Dendermonde is coming too early. On heavier off-road terrain I still experience too much rib pain. I have no other choice but to remain patient,” explained Mathieu Van der Poel in a press release from his Alpecin-Deceuninck team.
In the absence of the six-time world champion, his Belgian rival Wout Van Aert will try to confirm his rise to power at the start of 2025.
The elite women’s event can be followed live from 1:40 p.m. on the L’Équipe and Eurosport 2 channels. The elite men’s event can be followed live from 3 p.m. this Sunday, January 5 on the L’Équipe channel and Eurosport 2.
