CB of Besançon – Without Wout Van Aert, Mathieu Van der Poel alone in the world

This Sunday in Besançon was marked by the rainbow. Among the men, Mathieu Van der Poel easily scored his fifth cyclo-cross of the season in five races. Fem van Empel did the same by crushing the women's race earlier in the afternoon to pocket her eighth victory. This round of the World Cup in France was a first temperature measurement on French soil before the big meeting of the World Cup in Liévin (Hauts-de-France), scheduled for February 2. This race is the big winter objective for “MVDP” who could equal the record of seven world titles held by Eric de Vlaeminck.

Watching a Mathieu van der Poel race this season is like watching a replay of the same episode of Derrick on repeat. Starting from the second row, he easily extracts himself from the crowd with his ease and technique. And, having recovered somewhat, he places a single devastating attack to launch his irresistible flight. His opponents, reduced to the rank of spectators, were undermined by very muddy and technical terrain. Behind the Dutchman, Toon Aerts (+20″) and the world champion's teammate, Niels Vandeputte (+36″), complete the podium for this race.

The French, at home, achieved a nice group shot with the 12th and 13th places of Joshua Dubau and Clément Venturini. The leader of the World Cup, Michael Vanthourenhout, completely missed his race, but made up for it thanks to a good finish. He finished in 7th place, despite a fall on the first lap and shoe problems which slowed him down considerably. In the general classification, the Belgian remains leader ahead of Toon Aerts, with a comfortable margin of 25 points over his compatriot.

Among the ladies, Fem van Empel, like his elder and compatriot, crushed the race, taking advantage of Ceylin Alvarado's poor form, not on a great day. As she set off, she too, quickly collided, isolated herself while we witnessed a great battle for the podium. Finally, the leader of the World Cup ranking, Lucinda Brand (+37″) and Blanka Kata Vas (+1'02″) took the coveted places. In the other results to remember, we can note the 5th place of Marianne Vos for her return to the plowed races. Two French runners achieved a top 10 thanks to Célia Géry (9th, +2'29″) and Hélène Clauzel (10th, 2'40″).