On 1/26/2025 12:33 PM, AMuzi wrote:
https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20250126-van-der-poel-gears-up-for-worlds- with-cyclo-cross-double
I watched both of those races live. The Maasmechelen race on saturday
was an epic classic Belgian Cx race in cold temperatures, race, and
copious amounts of mud. The racers jerseys were no longer recognizable
by the race finish. Van Aert was battling for 1st position with VDP
until he made a critical mistake in the 3rd lap and endo'd on a short
steep descent, causing a mechanical issue with his bike. He managed to
get it straightened away and still finished a solo 2nd place, though
over a minute down.
Van der Pol has won every CX race he has entered this year, usually by
wide margins. Todays race was no exception. Before the end of the first
lap he attacked a small group that had gotten off the front, extending
his lead on every lap and winning by ~ 1:45.
As great as it is to see someone with VDPs talent riding near-perfect
races (the coverage did slo-mo replays of him pedaling through a
powerslide in the mud), it's actually quite boring when someone just
rides away from everyone else.
The only way VDP doesn't do a repeat on the world championships is
though a crash/severe mechanical.
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