Six-time elite world cyclocross champion Mathieu van der Poel is expected to peak later this cross season after dominating the World Cup round in Zonhoven.
Starting from the third row, the 29-year-old burst through the outside of the pack and took the lead just one minute and 12 seconds into the race.
Van der Poel’s lead stretched throughout the race to win by 1:30, as fellow multi-discipline rider Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions) was left chasing alone behind.
Christoph Roodhooft, team manager of Alpecin-Deceuninck, said that Van der Poel has taken a calmer approach to his ‘cross campaign this winter and only completed two specific cyclocross sessions before heading into his first race.
“He won't have been on the cross bike much yet. He has only included two specific cross training sessions,” Roodhooft told Wielerflits.
“That is the consequence of that program and of being a road cyclist. By the time it gets to the point where it becomes really important, he will be at the same level."
“He has to train through the cross for what is coming in March and April,” added Roodhooft.
“You have to make the puzzle fit together, that's all that has to happen in the cross.”
Van der Poel surprised himself by winning his maiden ‘cross race of the campaign by such a big margin following a different training approach.
“It was one of the best (first ‘cross races back) and one that I didn’t expect, it’s really nice.”
“I did a different approach to my first race, a little less interval and more endurance rides to try and get through this busy period a bit fresher than I did last year.
“I felt really good from the beginning and the technique was really good actually, so I’m happy.”
“Unfortunately, Wout van Aert has fallen ill and will not recover in time for tomorrow's race in Mol. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon,” Visma-Lease A Bike posted on social media.
Reacting to the news that rival Van Aert will not be on the start-line alongside him at the Superprestige event in Mol, Van der Poel said: “I’m very sad that Wout won’t be starting tomorrow (in Mol).
“I would have really liked to have raced against him. I’m sad that he’s not there tomorrow.
“I think Wout is always a nice opponent. It also brings a lot of extra people (to watch their battle), so that's a shame.”
Talking about Van der Poel’s approach, Roodhooft added to Wielerflits,“Mathieu wanted to make it a real cross season, and not take three or four crosses and then call it quits.
“That was very clear from the beginning. It didn't seem like a good idea to turn the whole winter upside down, and then hardly do anything with it.
“Now it has a sporting added value, because we are also 100 percent convinced that cyclocross makes him better as a road cyclist.
“It's not just having fun. This will contribute towards the spring anyway.
Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our 2024/25 Cyclocross coverage. Don't miss any of the breaking news, reports, and analysis from all the major CX races as we build up to the World Championships. Find out more.