We'll have to get used to it: Van der Poel shows up in Alpecin gear again just before Spanish criterium
Cycling
The road season is officially over with the end of the Tour of Guangxi and the Veneto Classic, but Mathieu van der Poel will ride again this weekend. He will take part in the La Nucia International Cycling Criterium in Spain.
The Spanish event consists of a two-day cycling festival. Van der Poel will be at the start of the Gran Fondo La Nucia on Sunday. It is one of the biggest Spanish cycling criteriums. Besides the gravel and cyclo-cross world champion, who was recently named Dutch Cyclist of the Year, his Belgian teammate Gianni Vermeersch will also participate in the Spanish tour, which will happen in front of the town's cycling stadium. Furthermore, the list of participants will mainly consist of Spaniards: among others, Vuelta revelations Pablo Castrillo and Urko Berrade, together good for three stage victories in the Vuelta a España, are on the participation list, as is Óscar Rodriguez (INEOS Grenadiers).
In addition to the current stars, a number of impressive former riders will also be lining up at the start: we're talking about Alejandro Valverde, as well as Óscar Sevilla. The 48-year-old Spaniard quit cycling this year and will celebrate retirement with a classic lap around the church. Former Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez and Italians Claudio Chiappucci and Gianni Bugno have also said yes. So Spanish fans can enjoy a wonderful criterium with fun for (and by) young and old.
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By the way, the race is not necessarily the absolute highlight of the cycling festival. That honor goes to 'El Duelo'. Former world champion Valverde will take on Miguel Fuster on his bike. The latter is a six-time Spanish Rally Champion: El Imbatido will thus compete against a Citroën rally car. There will also be an elimination race and a points race, but the big stars will not participate in those.
Van der Poel confirms participation... without his rainbow jersey
Van der Poel already seems excited for Saturday’s criterium. With a big smile on his face, he confirmed his participation in the La Nucia International Cycling Criterium on Thursday evening. "Hello everyone! This Saturday, I’ll be racing in the criterium in La Nucia. I hope to see you there," he said in his Instagram story. The post also gave us a reminder of how Van der Poel looks in the familiar Alpecin-Deceuninck kit, of course with the rainbow stripes on the sleeves. It's something we'll have to get used to again, since the last time Van der Poel raced in his team kit was before last year’s World Championships in Glasgow. Additionally, he's been wearing the rainbow jersey in cyclocross for almost two years now.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024