Van der Poel remains modest after new victory against Wout Van Aert: "Last year the roles were reversed"

It's gradually becoming less of a news story: Mathieu van der Poel, who - like a boa constrictor - suffocates everyone at the start of the cross and then cruises to one victory after another. This is exactly what happened again in the X2O Trophy race of Koksijde. IDLProCycling.com was there all day!

A year earlier, on January 5, 2023, it was MVDP's arch-rival Wout van Aert who raced to victory in the soft sand of Koksijde. This year, the roles seemed to have been completely reversed in advance, with Van der Poel showing dominance throughout the season. "It's very muddy, especially in the intermediate sections. That's actually a pity for a sand cross. It certainly hasn't become easier. However, it's not too hard, although it's more fun when the sand passages are crucial," reflected the Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck before the cyclo-cross race on what was to come.

In Koksijde, Van der Poel did not deliberately break away from Ronhaar and Van Aert that early

"You don't need a plan here, it's that difficult. Normally, you could recover between the sand sections, but the rain has eliminated that option. That's what makes it such a tough race," said the eventual winner about two hours before the start of the race. Because he did win. And how: just five minutes into the race, the proverbial bird had flown, and he said goodbye to the competition. Eventually, the versatile rider from Kapellen finished almost a minute and a half ahead of runner-up Pim Ronhaar. "It was a very tough cross," Van der Poel coughed in the flash interview. "I quickly chose my own pace, because Koksijde is always difficult."

"That I broke away early was not a deliberate choice. I wanted to start the sand sections in the lead because the tracks in front of you quickly disappear in the sand if you don't. In the first two rounds, I had two very good sand sections and because Ronhaar came closer for a moment, I had to keep riding. It was indeed very difficult to recover between the sand sections." Despite his supremacy, Van der Poel indicates that he can probably do even better, something that will make his fans' hearts beat faster. "Especially towards the World Cyclo-cross Championships. Since the race in Herentals, I have trained very little. After the race in Zonhoven, I will go back to Spain to put the final touches towards the world championship. But my peak should still be in the spring. That's the most important."

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After the organizational formalities (read: the podium ceremony), the superstar came back for the gathered press. The focus was on his unbridled dominance and the fact that this year, there's little of the so-called 'Big Three.' "Wout naturally indicated beforehand that he would choose a different approach," says 'Matje' when asked. "Last year, the roles were reversed during the Christmas period. Then it was he who rode me into a big gap. I don't think that says much towards the spring."

Van der Poel can do even better

But it's becoming increasingly clear that Van der Poel is still in the building phase. "It may be going a bit better than expected, but I am still working towards the spring," he emphasizes again. But before spring comes, there's the World Cyclo-cross Championships, which this year takes place in Tábor, Czech Republic. Can we already send the rainbow jersey to Van der Poel? "Certainly not yet. Every cyclo-cross race still has to be raced. In Tábor, for example, it could still freeze or snow, so it can go any way. Besides, I have to stay healthy. But I do have the best chance on paper, I shouldn't be coy about that. I'm just preparing for it like any other world championship."

Does Van der Poel secretly miss someone who can compete with him? "That would have been nice," is his initial reaction. "But I'm not going to complain. Last year, I had a very different feeling after the Christmas period. So I'm just very happy with how it's going," concludes the laureate, who after the World Cup race in Zonhoven will go on a training camp to Spain, ride the World Cup race in Benidorm, and then return home for the races in Hamme and Hoogerheide.