Why some are delighted with the absence of Van der Poel: the races are decided in two minutes!

The old cyclocross tarmac brings joy to Belgium and the Netherlands, these two nations passionate about cycling who, during the winter, put aside the road to concentrate on muddy terrain, especially when two big stars like Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel invite themselves to the party. The latter, in particular, has managed to capture all the attention, with five victories out of five possible in competition, but also outside the races: his Lamborghinis which he parks on the circuits, the jet private which took him to the French event in Besançon, or the 50,000 euros he would be paid, according to La Gazzetta dello Sportto participate in events not part of the World Cup.

Lucía González Blanco, originally from Asturias, who this December won the Spanish Cyclocross Cup for the third time in a row, regularly participates in competitions in Belgium and the Netherlands with her team Nesta-MMR. She confirms Van der Poel’s impact: “Generally, races attract a lot of spectators; but when he is present, the circuit is crowded“. This also applies to Van Aert. “It is very positive that they are not moving away from cyclocross and that they are maintaining this passion over the years. However, it is true that with a rider as dominant as Van der Poel this year, the races are less thrilling“.

“In Zonhoven, the race was over in two minutes“, says Alavés Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga, who begins his new role as Spanish cyclocross coach this month, succeeding Pascual Momparler. During this UCI World Cup event, which marked its comeback this season, Van der Poel won in the first round, taking victory by a minute and a half on Thibau Nys, the ‘heir to cyclocross’.

“This type of domination can harm the show and lose suspense,” analyzes Larrinaga. “That said, it is very positive that an athlete of his caliber participates in both road and cyclocross. In addition to the attention it attracts, it proves that it is possible to combine the two disciplineswhich could encourage other road racers who are hesitant to participate in cyclocross.”

“Without Van der Poel, the races are more closely contested, with up to eight contenders for victory instead of just one“, concludes the Basque technician. Among them are Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt, Niels Vandeputte, Laurens Sweeck and the Alicantin Felipe Orts, all ready to offer a captivating show until the last minute.

“You have to see Mathieu van der Poel as a spectator“, intervenes Benjamín Noval, former cyclist and father of a young talent who is causing a sensation this season both nationally and internationally. “It is a wonder of nature that makes easy what is in reality very difficult. It’s similar to what we experienced with Miguel Indurain or Alberto Contador on the road; even if his victory seems certain, the public wants to see him, because these are runners who mark their era“.

For ‘purists’ who prefer to follow the runners from the second row, a rib injury caused by a fall during the Loenhout cyclocross (which he of course won) allowed them to experience races without his presence. Among these, the Superprestige won by Wout van Aert in Gullegem in a thrilling duel against Iserbyt, or the UCI World Cup race this Sunday in Dendermonde (3 p.m., Eurosport), where the same Van Aert leads a participation of choice in the absence of Mathieu.

However, the debates around the men’s events risk overshadowing those of the women, which this season offer an excellent duel between the world champion Fem Van Empel, the experienced Lucinda Brand, the talented Puck Pieterse and the Dutch of Dominican origin Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, among others. “In Belgium, fans have gotten into the habit of coming only to see the male professionals“, deplores Lucía González, “but this year the women’s competition is very exciting, with many options and close finishes“. They will also have the opportunity to shine in the UCI World Cup in Dendermonde (1:40 p.m., Eurosport).