Having fun out there @mathieuvdpoel ❓ Lap 6️⃣ / 7️⃣ and he has a gap of +31s to Toon Aerts and +37s to his teammate, Vandeputte. #CXWorldCup #FLCS
Van der Poel had extra motivation in France and showed the audience his true cyclo-cross skills
Cyclo-crossMonday, 30 December 2024 at 08:13
Mathieu van der Poel won the World Cup cross of Besançon, already his fifth of this cyclo-cross winter and in one week. The Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck allowed speedy starter Toon Aerts to rage for a lap and then set off solo in eastern France. His extra motivation was to give his French mother, Corinne Poulidor, a lovely birthday present on December 29.
While many of his colleagues traveled by car or motorhome to Besançon, near Switzerland, Van der Poel opted for a private jet from Antwerp in the morning. Due to the fog in France, he had to divert to Dole-Jura airport, but from there, he arrived in Besançon well ahead of the recon of the World Cup Cross.
"Everything went smoothly despite the weather conditions," father Adrie van der Poel informed Play Sports studio before the start. "The fact that we had to divert was not a problem. That private jet is a choice we made in a busy period. Mathieu wants to start as well rested as possible," he said before his fifth cyclo-cross race in just one week.
Once he started, he appeared to be thoroughly fit, so there was time and space for another solo and even some elements of the show for the French public, who, as the grandson of Raymond Poulidor, treated him as one of them. So the people headed to Besançon made themselves heard quite a bit when the rainbow jersey passed by, while there were also plenty of signs saying "Allez Mathieu" and even 06 numbers to be seen for Van der Poel.
Read more below the photo.
After the flight home, Van der Poel must complete a long training session on Monday.
The Dutch rider enjoyed himself in Besançon, he said afterward. "It was fun because it was cyclo-cross. I was mainly focused on not making any mistakes, which was successful, especially in a course like this. I stayed clear of any problems, and that was my goal. Asper-Gavere, I found the course a little more difficult. It was very nice to come here in France with the World Cup. There was a lot of public, and they were very enthusiastic, so that was nice to see," he commented.
Van der Poel had much time to think as he rode most of the race solo again. "It's a little bit easier when you can choose your own lines. Occasionally, you take a corner just wrong, and then you think before your next lap: now, I'm going to do that just slightly differently. But that's how you come to a dilemma, so those are the things you're working on," he said, giving a glimpse into the thoughts of a cyclo-cross world champion.
He won't start in Diegem on Monday night but will not rest either. "There's a long training session planned, so I'm going to rest on Tuesday, and then I'll get back to work in Baal on Wednesday," he explained his New Year's Eve plans.
Video: Van der Poel shows off skills for French audience
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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