Eleven out of eleven for Van der Poel? Wouldn't surprise Van Gucht and Herygers at all: "A master at work"

Mathieu van der Poel is back, and how! His ultra-dominant performance at the World Cup cyclocross in Zonhoven proved his status as world champion. Ruben Van Gucht and Paul Herygers saw a master at work; eleven out of eleven is possible!

Would Van der Poel have performed the same in other eras, Van Gucht wonders at Sporza? Herygers thinks he would. "That already starts with De Vlaeminck - technically, that was a great guy - and a bit later, there came the Liboton chapter, but I fear Van der Poel wouldn't face problems in anything. Maybe on a technical course, but he would fly over obstacles and ditches for the rest. We are not concerned with that."

So there is only one thing possible, according to the gentlemen: we are looking at the best cyclo-cross rider ever. "Because he's probably heading for seven world titles, and then you can back that up with statistics. He is on the threshold of achieving that benchmark of Erik De Vlaeminck," Herygers said.

Text continues below photo

Van der Poel wins in Zonhoven

Van Aert scratches his head again 

Van Gucht wonders if Van Aert is scratching his head again. "Do you think Van Aert needed this to realize how good Van der Poel is? Or do those guys already know that there's probably nothing that can be done about it?"

"I don't know with what intention Van Aert will show up," Herygers said. "Of course, he's also a winner, but at some point, you're going to have to realize if it's worth it with the other goals like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. At some point, you have to conclude what you can handle. That's what it comes down to in the end. That Van der Poel excels in this area. That lead of a minute and a half is over the top; it could have been 30", too. But Van der Poel doesn't find it necessary to slow down. But maybe Van Aert has realized he won't get burned by that."

Text continues below photo

Van der Poel

Eleven out of eleven is quite possible for Van der Poel

Finally, the question of what this means for the exciting cyclo-cross season came up. "He does take that tension away; he clearly shows that the others are not up to his level. What does Van der Poel add to the sport? I might put it easier: do you think it is good that he is here, or is it better that he stays away from the sport?" asks Van Gucht.

"I think it is good that he is here; everyone may realize that there are stars who can ride faster. He certainly shouldn't hide so others can make a living; there are sponsors for that. They bring him out, and they would like to see him win. They don't like to see him lose," Herygers said.

Van Gucht wrapped up by complimenting the performance. "I enjoyed it. Some people will talk about humiliation, but I think it should be expressed positively: we have witnessed a demonstration of the master."

Herygers agreed, "It was top, and especially because it was the first time, everything has to be spot on; that material has to be in perfect order. A whole strategy is behind that, which I find equally impressive." So will it be eleven out of eleven for Van der Poel? "It wouldn't surprise me at all," Herygers concluded.

Read also

Mathieu van der Poel makes one remarkable observation after show in Zonhoven: "I can't achieve that on the road"

Spectacular victory: Van der Poel wins big after thrilling start in Zonhoven

Mathieu van der Poel responds to absence of duel now Wout van Aert won't compete due to illness