🏆 5ª victoria para Van der Poel, esta vez en Besançon 🥈 Aerts se ha impuesto a Vandeputte en la pelea por la 2ª plaza 🇪🇸 Orts 10°, Kevin Suárez 29° y Mario Junquera 47° 🔝 Vanthourenhout sigue líder de la Copa del Mundo #EsenciaCiclista #CXWorldCup
Toon Aerts finishes second behind Mathieu van der Poel: "A few days ago, I was in tears"
Cyclo-crossMonday, 30 December 2024 at 08:27
Mathieu van der Poel was outstanding again Sunday in Besançon. The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck dealt efficiently with the competition in eastern France, although some also rode another strong race. Numbers two and three, Toon Aerts ( Deschacht-Hens-FSP) and Niels Vandeputte ( Alpecin-Deceuninck), were equally happy during their interviews afterward.
Aerts had to miss the cyclo-cross Loenhout on Friday due to illness, so a second place in Besançon pleased the competitive rider. The Belgian started the cyclo-cross race solidly and were passed by Van der Poel before riding pretty solidly to second place. "It was a tough cross. The uphill section was difficult, but it was mainly technique-based cyclo-cross," he revealed.
"A week ago in Hulst, I still had issues with my technique; I could hardly find my rhythm there. But now it went well," Aerts said. "I hear people say this course is similar to Lievin's (where the World Championships will be held in early February, ed.), so that gives me confidence."
"That confidence was completely lacking the last few days. When you have to skip a race like Loenhout, about six or seven kilometers from my door.... I had to make that decision a few days ago; it was almost a moment with tears in my eyes. Loenhout is a childhood dream, to ride and win," he continued after finishing second in Besançon. "With Mathieu at the start, I didn't have an immediate goal to win, but I wanted to be on that podium. So I watched Joran (Wyseure, ed.) more than Niels, continuing to do my own thing."
Read more below the video!
Vandeputte happy with third place
Vandeputte also continued his good run with a third-place finish. "I'm satisfied," he told us. "My start went well, and I was able to move up to that third place pretty quickly. I thought I could close the gap between Mathieu and Toon at some point, but then Mathieu just accelerated. We didn't see him again," laughed the teammate of the winner from the Netherlands.
"Toon was stronger than me in the end, so I'm happy with third place," he said. "It was important to do all the technical sections well. Making small mistakes is okay then, but not too many big mistakes. That is something that suits me well, and that will be a reason why I am standing on the podium."
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Latest Comments
- This was very informative! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreiraluizantonioduarteferreira02-01-2025
- 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