The upcoming UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships look to be a two-man battle for bragging rights. Photo: Alpecin-Fenix
The upcoming UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships look to be a two-man battle for bragging rights.
While there will be several riders on the start line with title ambitions, the smart money will be on either Belgian cyclo-cross national champion Wout van Aert or his Dutch rival Mathieu van der Poel donning the rainbow jersey.
Van Aert, who is a three-time world champion (2016 to 2018) inflicted a rare defeat on Van der Poel in the final World Cup round last Sunday – only the third time he has managed to do so this season.
Prior to that, however, Van der Poel took his ninth victory of the season, beating Van Aert for the fifth time, giving the reigning world champion a 5-3 head-to-head advantage.
Victory for Van der Poel at the world championships in Oostende, Belgium, on Sunday would mean a fourth title and third in a row for the aptly nicknamed “Flying Dutchman”.
When asked if Van der Poel was the favourite for the world title, a cagey Van Aert simply said, “I think so”.
Jumbo-Visma’s Wout van Aert is among the favourites for victory at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Photo: Cor Vos
Van der Poel was equally reserved when quizzed as to how he foresees the race panning out.
“It’s difficult to say. I think we have two big favourites in Wout and me.
“I suspect it will be a very nice race next weekend.”
While there may be little to separate the two 26-year-olds, a third rider with a rich pedigree at cyclo-cross world championship level has thrown his hat into the ring.
Czech rider Zdenek Stybar, who is also a three-time world champion (2010, 2011 and 2014), confirmed via a statement from his Deceuninck-Quick-Step team that due to Covid-19 disruptions to his schedule he would ride his very first cyclo-cross race of the season at the world championships.
At 35, and in the twilight of his racing career, it would be something of a surprise should Stybar upset his younger and perhaps hungrier foes.
