Lengthy-time adversaries Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and Mathieu van der Poel’s (Alpecin-Deceuninck) cyclocross talents are so well-matched it solely takes a slight technical error to have the pendulum swing in favour of the opposite.
Take Tuesday’s Superprestige Heusden-Zolder in east Belgium, for instance, when Van der Poel, contemporary off a solo victory towards the Belgian champion at World Cup Gavere the day prior, fell sufferer to 2 technical slip-ups, inflicting the Dutch star to cede victory to Van Aert in an exciting two-up dash on the motorsports tarmac of Circuit Zolder.
Racing on residence soil, Van Aert took the win on the second day of Kerstperiode, a interval of cyclocross racing that crams 10 prestigious races into the 2 weeks round Christmas and the New Yr. Van der Poel, who slipped out of his pedal through the essential second, needed to be content material with second place. Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) took the ultimate spot on the rostrum.
After leaving their contenders behind on the primary lap, it was a recreation of back-and-forth between the 2 cyclocross superstars on a muddy and technical course. Van der Poel, hoping for a solo victory just like the day earlier than, took his likelihood to shake off Van Aert with an acceleration earlier than a muddy descent. His transfer failed, and the Alpecin-Deceuninck was left to crawl again into competition after going astray into the timber and inserting a foot within the sand. Van der Poel ultimately made it again to Van Aert’s wheel, however the likelihood for a solo post-up was just about gone.
Every part was gearing up for the 2 riders to dash drag race fashion down the Zolder raceway, however Van der Poel, his cleats caked with sand and dirt from his earlier misfortune, got here out of his pedal through the wind-up for the road.
“I attempted to make the distinction on the final technical half. That did not work, so a dash adopted,” Van der Poel advised Sporza.be. “I’ve felt for a very long time that we have been evenly matched, however, sadly, I shot out of my pedal. I am dissatisfied that I wasn’t in a position to strive (to dash). Zolder is a tough race to drive somebody off the wheel who’s simply pretty much as good. On to tomorrow.”
Van Aert was pleased with how he learn the Zolder match-up together with his rival. He went into the ultimate lap behind Van Der Poel and performed his playing cards conservatively, which paid off on a notoriously tough course to shake off evenly matched riders.
“Within the final a part of the lap, (Van der Poel) stored placing stress on me, however I used to be in a position to hold my cool this time and keep away from the error. I’m very blissful and really happy with this victory,” Van Aert stated to Sporza.be after the race. “The sensation was already so much higher at this time (referring to World Cup Gavere the day earlier than)”. “I believe I took a little bit an excessive amount of relaxation final weekend. I am used to a lot quantity that two relaxation days may be detrimental to the legs.”
The 2 riders could have one other likelihood to battle it out Wednesday evening at Superprestige Diegem. The elite males will begin at 8:45 p.m. CET.
