Top talent Del Grosso shines with second place in Koksijde race: "Incredible to compete with the elites"
Cyclo-cross
Tibor Del Grosso made a stunning breakthrough on Friday at the X2O Trophy in Koksijde. The Alpecin-Deceuninck prodigy finished second after an exciting duel in the sand with Laurens Sweeck, marking his first podium finish in an elite cyclo-cross race.
"Even though I would have loved to win, I’m really happy with this result," Del Grosso began in the post-race flash interview. "To beat someone like Laurens here, you have to do everything perfectly. He did that, and I made just a few too many mistakes. So I have to be satisfied with this second place," said the rider, who will make his WorldTour debut on the road later this year.
While Del Grosso repeatedly lost contact with Sweeck on the sandy sections during the second half of the race, he often fought back on the intermediate stretches, giving him hope of taking the win. "I definitely tried a few times, but in the end, I should have taken more initiative myself. You know Laurens rarely makes big mistakes. At the start of the race, I took the initiative and rode really well through the sand. But as the race goes on, you get more tired. I managed to fight back a few times, but to win, you can’t afford to lose ground like that," admitted an honest Del Grosso.
Del Grosso impresses among the pros: "Hoped to take another step forward"
The reigning U23 world champion has been alternating between U23 and elite races this season. He already finished impressively among the pros with fifth and seventh places in the challenging races of Namur and Gavere. On Monday, he narrowly missed the podium in the evening cyclo-cross race in Diegem. Now, he has secured his first elite podium finish.
Things are progressing well, though Del Grosso isn’t entirely surprised. "I’m surprising myself a bit, but I also hoped to have taken another step forward. It’s still incredible to be competing for prizes like this among the elites."
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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