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

After many weeks of previews, speculation, and analysis, the day has finally come: Mathieu van der Poel returns to cyclo-cross. Some analysts had already guessed how many races the world champion would compete in, and the number eventually became eleven. A good number, but how do you choose which races? That was not an analyst who answered that, but Van der Poel's team manager, Christophe Roofhooft.

In Het Nieuwsblad, the team manager reveals some details. Van der Poel's team disregarded the rumors that Van der Poel would ride three cyclo-cross races. "That was an idea of the analysts. We never thought like that. Neither did Mathieu. He has always said: "If I participate in cross country, I want to do it well." Ultimately, he chose the ones where he liked the course."

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Last year Van der Poel extended his time with the team.

Team Van der Poel did not like the idea of a winter without cyclo-cross

A striking fact: the Belgian newspaper states that Van der Poel thought it was best to skip a winter but that Alpecin-Deceuninck preferred a winter with cyclo-cross. A successful cyclo-cross winter, including a possible world title, serves as a kind of warranty of success should the spring on the road be a disappointment. In any case, the Roodhooft brothers' team does not want Van der Poel to compete less. "Of course, he's also just a professional cyclist," the team manager explains.

"At least in the Tour, the ASO has also done everything possible to put as many stages as possible in the course tailored to the big men, Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, and Mathieu," Roodhooft continued, also hinting that Van der Poel is more likely to ride in the Tour. The cyclo-cross world champion enters the winter with an open mind, starting in Zonhoven. There is no real pressure or expectation from the team management. "If I say it will be difficult and Mathieu rides solo away from everyone, then it's silly. If I say I expect him to break away from everyone, then I put pressure on him. I want neither one nor the other. What is certain is that Mathieu would not be racing if he wasn't ready for it," the Belgian concluded.

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