The team responsible for the X2O Trophy in Herentals has reasons to celebrate with the confirmation of Mathieu van der Poel’s participation on Saturday, December 16. The current Cyclocross World Champion had initially planned to start his season in Mol on December 22 but decided to return to competition a week earlier than scheduled.
The organization of the X2O Bathrooms Trophy announced Mathieu van der Poel’s participation in a press release. Typically, it would have taken another two weeks for the five-time Cyclocross World Champion to return, but the Dutch rider from Alpecin-Deceuninck changed his mind and will now wear the number one jersey a week earlier.
14 competitions this season.
Van der Poel will participate in a total of fourteen Cyclocross races this European winter. The 28-year-old cyclist will be aiming for the Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic (February 4), hoping to secure his sixth professional Cyclocross world title there.
“Last week, I returned to Belgium for a few days and did some Cyclocross training. On Wednesday, I trained on the beach for the second time here in Spain. My form on the road is good, but that’s not always indicative for Cyclocross. The basics are in order,” revealed Van der Poel.
Check Mathieu Van der Poel’s official Cyclocross schedule for this season:
- 16-12 X²O Badkamers Trofee Herentals Cross
- 22-12 Zilvermeercross
- 23-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #9 Antwerpen
- 26-12 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #10 Gavere
- 28-12 Telenet Superprestige Diegem
- 29-12 Azencross – Loenhout
- 01-01 X²O Badkamers Trofee GP Sven Nys
- 04-01 X²O Badkamers Trofee Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde
- 07-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #12 Zonhoven
- 21-01 UCI Cyclocross World Cup #13 Benidorm
- 27-01 X²O Badkamers Trofee Flandriencross – Hamme
- 03-02 – 04-02 Cyclocross World Championships – Tábor – Czech Republic