Cyclo-cross-The duel will finally take place. Mathieu Van der Poel against Wout Van Aert, at the Liévin World Championships in a week. Initially absent, the triple Belgian world champion finally decided to line up in the race for the rainbow jersey.
The world cyclo-cross championships could not dream better. One week before the men’s elite race, Wout van Aert has just announced a change of program with a view to the rainbow jersey. Faced with his best enemy Mathieu van der Poel, Van Aert Finally chose to go to Liévin next Sunday. With, online in sight, a fourth world title, after those of 2016, 2017 and 2018.
A real duel?
As part of a very framed program, the Belgian should initially not be present in Liévin. But for a few weeks, uncertainty has reigned around the last name of the Belgian workforce for the Worlds. No doubt confident about his ability to defeat his Dutch opponent, Van Aert participated in 5 cyclo-cross races this season, for 2 victories (Gullegem and Dendermonde). Both acquired during absences from Van der Poelwho beat him again this Saturday, in Maasmechelen.
« I am delighted to start with such a beautiful race, and I think that this additional boost will do me good before trying to achieve the more important goals on the road“, He said in his team’s press release. Absent last year, Van Aert said: ” I feel good and my winter preparation has gone very well so far. The idea of participating in the World Cup only came to me very recently. After Maasmechelen, coach Angelo de Clercq, my coach Mathieu Heijboer and I agreed to participate« .
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Mathieu van der Poel However, advances as the big favorite of these Liévin Worlds. 6 times world cyclo-cross champion, he aims for the record forEric de Vlaeminck (7 titres).
