🎥 Van der Poel makes rare mistake during Loenhout recon and wishes rival Van Aert good luck
Cyclo-cross
This Friday, Mathieu van der Poel faces his rival Wout van Aert in the field for the first time this season. The small Belgian village of Loenhout has the honor of hosting the first clash between the 'Big Two,' which has visibly drawn a larger crowd. Loenhout is reaping the benefits of hosting a prime post-Christmas event on a Friday, an ideal day for the spectacle.
While Van Aert took his time to speak with the media during his reconnaissance, Van der Poel kept his preview brief. The sentiments he shared about his fourth cyclo-cross race in six days were the same ones he shared earlier in the week. "I’m looking forward to facing Wout, but in a way, it feels normal. I’ve been racing against him for ten years," the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider told reports on Monday in Mol. Van Aert had to withdraw from that race due to illness.
Van Aert, in turn, praised Van der Poel. Wout was on his massage table as he watched his competitor win the race in Gavere. "What Mathieu has done so far this season is incredible. In all three of his races, it’s like he’s never left. Unfortunately, it’s not my goal to turn this into a duel. I just hope I can race with a good feeling and perform well. I won’t roll over, but realistically, he’s on another level right now."
Van der Poel makes rare mistake during reconnaissance
During the reconnaissance, spectators in Loenhout witnessed Van der Poel make a rare mistake, which was captured on video by Sporza. While tackling a heavy mud section with Gianni Vermeersch, the Dutchman went over the handlebars. However, the world champion quickly recovered and got back on his bike with a big smile on his face.
Read more below the photos!
Afterward, Van der Poel and Van Aert took turns giving flash interviews for television, exchanging only a quick handshake.
Il Lombardia 2024
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Nys enjoyed the vibe surrounding Van Aert and Van der Poel: "Those who say cyclo-cross is dead..."
Wout van Aert doesn't blame Thibau Nys after crash in final lap: "A fan was hanging completely over the course"
Even Van der Poel can feel exhausted, but how he travels to Besançon can make a difference: "Oops, has that been leaked already?"
Latest Cycling News
Embark on an incredible journey to the first Cycling World Championship in Africa
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Nys enjoyed the vibe surrounding Van Aert and Van der Poel: "Those who say cyclo-cross is dead..."
Wout van Aert doesn't blame Thibau Nys after crash in final lap: "A fan was hanging completely over the course"
Even Van der Poel can feel exhausted, but how he travels to Besançon can make a difference: "Oops, has that been leaked already?"
Popular Cycling News
17-year-old Muys spent two kilometers clinging to Pogacar’s wheel during record attempt: "His team directors gave me pat on the back"
Meanwhile in the peloton | Van der Poel arrives to Gavere race in stylish, orange Lamborghini
Cycling kits 2025: TotalEnergies embraces even more white, SD Worx-Protime shows off bold new jersey
Rowe seeks new way to tackle the "million-dollar question" concerning Van der Poel, Van Aert, and Pogacar
Cyclo-cross rankings 2024/2025 | Alvarado wins 4 of out 5 but still keeps small gap with Brand
Latest Comments
- 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
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024