The first of eleven in Zonhoven: Analysts Nys and Albert predict multiple scenarios for Van der Poel

The time is almost upon us: Mathieu van der Poel will dive into the field in Zonhoven on Sunday afternoon. The cyclo-cross race with the famous pit marks a new phase in the winter season, especially for all other competitors. Can the cyclo-cross world champion immediately hit the ground running? Two cyclo-cross specialists, Sven Nys, and Niels Albert, think he can, but also see potential hazards for MVDP.  

They looked ahead in the Belgian outlet HLN. Both all-time grandmasters expect a win but argue that it will also take some getting used to Van der Poel. Nys thinks the world champion will win on Sunday. "Physically, everything points in that direction. He came out of last road season in fantastic condition, and we didn't get any negative signals concerning his preparation." The course also plays into that judgment. "A stamina course, with room to overtake. One where Mathieu can play off his strength and power and gradually build up during the race."

Read more below the photo.

Van der Poel in action in the field.

Albert sees Vanthourenhout as toughest opponent for Van der Poel in Zonhoven

"Still, Van der Poel will need some getting used to; after all, he has done very little cyclo-cross training and mainly worked on endurance form. If the competitors have a chance, it will be in the first race(s). In which, even for super talents like Mathieu, it is always a bit of an adjustment," Albert believes. The Belgian analyst and former cyclo-cross rider also knows who will challenge Van der Poel.

The differences have often been minor in Van der Poel's first race. "In Zonhoven, too, I consider such a scenario possible. Michael Vanthourenhout, for example, should not settle for Van der Poel's supremacy in advance. With these legs and this confidence, he should be able to challenge the reigning world champion on a good day. It will be much more difficult once Mathieu gets into his rhythm."

Nys agrees. He points particularly to the training sessions. "You can, with an eye on excelling in the classic spring on the road, go through many kilometers. But as a cyclo-cross rider, you also need that pure intensity to give it your all and more for an hour." The idea is that Matje would have trained too little and wanted to start too fast. "The danger is to start too early."

Of course, Mathieu and Wout don't want to make a joke of their cyclo-cross debut, but on the other hand, they don't want to create 37 peaks a year and be at the top in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Still, Albert already knows: "In Zonhoven, one more rider will shake things up. After Sunday, the cyclo-cross world could look completely different again."

We will know the answer after the race today in Zonhoven!

Read also

Van der Poel considered skipping cyclo-cross this winter, but team disagreed: Christophe Roodhooft explains why

Busy period should suit injured Brand ("heading to the physio soon"): "I also enjoy competing in stage races"

Is Van der Poel avoiding Hulst because of last year’s spitting scandal? "We shouldn’t take it the wrong way"