Mathieu van der Poel It was announced on Friday that 11 cyclocross races will be contested this season, starting with the World Cup in Zonhoven on Sunday, December 22, and ending with the World Championships in Lieven, France, on February 2.
This is the lowest number of CX events the six-time world champion has completed in a single season, except for the impact of injuries in the 2021/22 season. Last year, Van der Poel participated in 14 games, Ends with Tabor World Championship victory.
In a press release from Alpecin-Deceuninck, the Dutchman explained: “After careful consideration and discussions with the team management and performance staff, I have decided on a reliable race schedule. A more compact plan, such as two races World Cup matches and world championships are another option, but I think it makes more sense to have a wider tournament.”
“After making my decision, I quickly mapped out the races I wanted to take part in. Yes, I was lucky enough to have the freedom to choose my favorite races. The presence of Zonhoven, Mohr and Kokseider is no coincidence .There are some typical sandlot games on the menu.”
He is aiming for a seventh world title, which would make him the joint record holder.
“A seventh world title, of course,” he said of his ambitions. “This is the only goal I have to achieve in CX: Erik De Vlaeminck’s unique record. This desire has been the driving force behind my commitment to this winter cross-country season. World Championships[s] Being in Levan is the only real goal, although I hope to strive for victory in all the other races I enter. But we’ll see how I do in the first few weeks. As I said, the peak will be later this year. “
Van der Poel won all but one of the races he entered last season, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against his opponents this year. In his absence, this season’s two World Cup titles have been won by Eli Iserbit and Michael Van Torenhout, with the X2O and Superprestige events led by Lars van der Haar.
Vanderpool will be the first of CX’s “big three” to return to action, potentially Walter van Aert and Tom Pidcock Racing remains unknown.
Mathieu van der Poel’s CX Timeline
– Zonhofen World Cup 22/12
– Moore Super Prestige 23/12
– Gavere World Cup 26/12
– Loenhout exactly 27/12
– Besançon World Cup 29/12
– Baal X2O Trophy 01/01
– Koksijde X2O Trophy 03/01
– Dendermonde World Cup 05/01
– Maasmechelen World Cup 25/01
– Hoogheide World Cup 26/01
-Levan World Championships 02/02
