Cyclo-cross specialists watch in awe at Van der Poel: "He can make many look foolish in various disciplines"

It had been highly anticipated for a long time: Mathieu van der Poel's return to the field. The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck did not miss the opportunity in Zonhoven. He stormed from the third row of the starting grid to the lead in just 76 seconds. This was the beginning of a solo run lasting just under an hour, drawing the admiration of the team bosses and his father.  

In the TV broadcast, several cyclo-cross specialists had their say. Dad Adrie is known as one of the most honest analysts, even regarding his son. "You also have to have a little bit of luck to break away from the others," was Van der Poel senior's view after the son's dashing start. "The start in Zonhoven is also ideal because it's quite long. Nothing crazy happened, so that was pretty favorable."

"After that chicane, he was right in the race," judged father Van der Poel, who didn't see his son's lead threatened anymore. How that big difference with the competition is so explainable? "He can ride a gear bigger than the others. Wout and Mathieu have that from the road, but then you also go faster," Adrie kept it simple yet logical.

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Lukáš Ronald Lukács

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Enjoy the start of MVDP from the third line to the first place. 🥰 #CXWorldCup

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Sven Nys praises Van der Poel

The mouths of several team managers dropped open. Sven Nys, of course, was no ordinary cyclist in his time, and he had a lot of respect for the power Van der Poel displayed. "I have a lot of admiration for this. It's like a moped. As a competitor, you're not concerned with it because we're just riding for spot two." Nys saw that runner-up spot fall in favor of his own son Thibau, which was also a boost after some lesser races.

"Mathieu is just of a different level and stature," Nys continued. "He can make many people look foolish in various disciplines. I have a lot of respect for that; it's unprecedented. He can top his power and then has more power than the others. A rider of phenomenal level," the Baloise Trek Lions team boss concluded his praise.

Bart Wellens was also impressed. "After 300 meters, he is already coming out of the pit and in the lead. He just has too much power and makes it look so easy. And that should only become more heading toward the World Cup: that would be unbelievable." This is also how Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq analyzed it. "We knew Mathieu would be excellent, and it shows. I had thought he would need another round, but we all watch this with great admiration. It's impressive."

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