📸 Excitement is building: what are Van der Poel's (cyclo-cross) plans? Roodhooft has news
Cyclo-cross
Mathieu van der Poel, when will we hear from you? The Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck went on holiday after the Gravel World Championships, and apart from relaxing, smiling and lounging in the sun in Spain, we haven't seen much of him. Is he going to dive into cyclo-cross? Photos show that that is not in the cards just yet. Team manager Christoph Roodhooft, however, has since announced that more details about Mathieu's plans will be revealed soon.
Van der Poel has been thoroughly enjoying himself in recent weeks. After his world title in gravel racing, he did participate in a criterium in Spain, but other than that, we saw him winning a duel against a rally car, running a half marathon in Denia, and pushing his brother David to his limits under the Spanish sun.
So the bike has never been far away, but cyclo-cross doesn’t seem to be on the agenda for a while just yet. Together with his buddy Freddy Ovett, he is fully enjoying the glorious weather around Calpe. The training duo cycled over eighty kilometers on Spanish roads on Monday – while basking in the sunshine. Enviable images compared to the chilly autumn days you and I might be experiencing.
"Great weather," Ovett says, seemingly quoting Van der Poel. And indeed, with temperatures around twenty degrees and sunny skies, the weather around Calpe is perfect. Training in the south still seems much more appealing to Matje than the cold, muddy fields of Belgium. And who can blame the former world champion?
Roodhooft announces news regarding Van der Poel's plans
So, while a return to cyclo-cross for Van der Poel seems to be a long way off, there may soon be news about his plans. Sporza asked the manager of Alpecin-Deceuninck Christoph Roodhooft during the Exact Cross of Kortrijk when there will be more known about Van der Poel's plans, and he answered this: "Let's say next week. So, from November 25 to December 1, the decisive answer to whether Van der Poel will race should follow.
Van der Poel racking up kilometers in the Spanish sun
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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