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 in opposition to 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 exhilarating two-up dash on the motorsports tarmac of Circuit Zolder.
Racing on dwelling 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 12 months. 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 rivalry after going astray into the timber and putting 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 nearly gone.
The whole lot was gearing up for the 2 riders to dash drag race model 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 informed Sporza.be. “I’ve felt for a very long time that we had been evenly matched, however, sadly, I shot out of my pedal. I am dissatisfied that I wasn’t capable of attempt (to dash). Zolder is a tough race to drive somebody off the wheel who’s simply nearly 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 strain on me, however I used to be capable of hold my cool this time and keep away from the error. I’m very completely happy and really happy with this victory,” Van Aert mentioned to Sporza.be after the race. “The sensation was already quite a bit higher as we speak (referring to World Cup Gavere the day earlier than)”. “I believe I took a 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 can have one other likelihood to battle it out Wednesday evening at Superprestige Diegem. The elite males will begin at 8:45 p.m. CET.
