Mathieu van der Poel says the rivalry between himself and Wout van Aert will probably be ‘one thing particular’ to look again on on the finish of their careers.
There was little to separate the rivals on Sunday as Van der Poel beat Van Aert in a dash end at Hoogerheide to win the elite males’s 2023 UCI Cyclocross World Championship.
It was the Dutchman’s fifth elite world title and the ultimate alternate of the cyclocross season earlier than the pair return to battle on the street throughout the Spring Classics. As compared, Van Aert has three elite ‘cross world crowns and was overwhelmed into second by his rival for the fourth time.
“I believe in case you take one in every of us two away, then it makes the races much less fascinating for certain,” mentioned a delighted Van der Poel. “It was a very good battle towards Wout who is absolutely onerous to beat, so I’m blissful.
“It’s higher already for a few years of cyclocross and the street, there’s at all times respect between us. Possibly you don’t recognize it typically once you get overwhelmed however after our profession it is going to be one thing particular to look again on.”
Each riders tried to assault their rival throughout the race, with their opponent responding every time. On the ultimate lap most individuals anticipated Van der Poel to launch his bid for glory on the barrier part, which he was visibly faster over than Van Aert. Nonetheless, the Dutchman left in till the ultimate uphill dash to the road and had sufficient to energy previous the Belgian.
“I didn’t actually make a plan prematurely as a result of I by no means do it after which Lars [Van der Haar] did a quick opening lap and I felt actually good so I simply went on the toughest a part of the course,” added Van der Poel.
“It was good that there was two of us instantly, as a result of we didn’t should struggle for place right this moment. It was already fairly apparent that I wasn’t going to drop him and the opposite manner round. I attempted a few occasions, everyone anticipated me to strive one thing on the boundaries however I wished to be second once we entered the end straight. I don’t suppose in 10 or 15 metres I’d take sufficient to drop him, so he can be in my wheel on the stairs once more, he would have the benefit. That was my plan.
“I attempted to place some stress on typically [over the barriers] but it surely’s not as if Wout wasn’t in a position to bounce them. If he acquired off the bike then you possibly can actually do one thing. He was additionally actually quick getting on the wheel so it made no sense to strive one thing there. The opposite a part of the course was more durable.”
Van der Poel got here out second to Van Aert on 5 events because the pair battled throughout the Christmas interval together with Tom Pidcock.
After a heavy spell of racing the Dutchman noticed the re-emergence of his again grievance after operating by way of the sand at Zonhoven and took a break from cyclocross to arrange for the World Championships.
“Everyone mentioned throughout the Christmas interval that Wout was stronger than I used to be,” mentioned Van der Poel. “The second I left for Spain I attempted to show a change on and give attention to this race. I wanted two or three weeks to essentially work on it [back], get some remedy and do plenty of train.
“It was quiet for me, reasonably than being on my bike or doing another coaching I used to be within the health club nearly daily which was essential.”
Regardless of being topped cyclocross world champion, Van der Poel mentioned meaning nothing when he begins his Classics marketing campaign at Strade Bianche.
The Dutch star’s street season will embody Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Van der Poel mentioned he’s concentrating on ‘all of them’ and that his cyclocross world title will imply nothing subsequent month.
He added: “That’s at all times the case for each rider because it’s solely 5 – 6 races so we attempt to be one of the best we will.
“It’s very nice to turn into world champion but it surely isn’t something to do with the street season. You begin once more from zero and I’m going to attempt to do some good races within the street season.”
