NOS Cycling•today, 09:44
Mathieu van der Poel will not be in action today at the cross in Baal. The Dutchman still has too much trouble with his ribs after a fall in Loenhout, his team Alpecin-Deceuninck reports.
Van der Poel managed to win the cyclocross in Loenhout last Friday, but did not cross the finish line unscathed. During a fall, the world champion hit a post.
In recent days, the apparently unbeatable cyclist’s complaints have worsened. That is why he has decided not to start in Baal on New Year’s Day.
Five out of five
This suits Van der Poel’s competition well. The Dutchman managed to win all five cyclo-cross races in which he competed. He did this in a period of eight days.
Van der Poel also flies unthreatened to victory in front of ‘his own’ French audience in Besançon
The question remains whether Van der Poel will drive in Koksijde on January 3 or in Dendermonde on January 5. His team says it is closely monitoring the recovery of the versatile rider.
If Van der Poel manages to be fit again on January 5, he will meet his major competitor Wout van Aert in Belgium. For the six-time cyclo-cross world champion, the World Cup on February 2 is the main goal this winter.
