A week later, the response remains unchanged: Mathieu Van der Poel He has such a superiority over all his opponents in cyclocross that it even takes away the suspense. And then we have to trust in the twists of fate, as happened in Antwerp, in the World Cup race, his first this year.
Ready, go, and the Dutchman loses his pedal stroke. He stays upright, but the others quickly pass him by, and he finds himself tangled up in the pack. It also wastes time pidcock for a fall, so with Van Aert A little further on, the three tenors find themselves almost evenly matched, in the middle of the specialist pack. A different outcome than usual? It won't be like that...
A triumph despite everything
Following the race this time too, like a week before for the world champion's solo in Herentals, Luca Craved, which compared to seven days ago has highlighted other aspects of the superiority of the sample of theAlpecin Deceuninck.
«I had no doubt whatsoever that VDP would win. "He said, "even after the difficult start. In fact, looking at him, I sensed a slight sense of satisfaction, as if to say, 'At least I'm having a little more fun today.' I'm sure he never feared for the win."
In his dissertation, Bramati relies on numbers: «In the first lap Van Der Poel lost 25” and knew that even half a lap would be enough to regain them, so he continued calmly. Besides, he always had the head of the race in front of him: he could see it, it was in his sights.. So he took advantage of the most favorable points and the Antwerp one is a path that fits him like a tailor-made suit."
The difference on the shoreline
Indeed, Van Der Poel gained a lot of ground on everyone else in the sandy sections, demonstrating that he was capable of interpreting them like no other.
«This is because it combines stratospheric power – he explains – with great agility. We had also seen the week before that he is able to use relationships that are not suitable for others, but he's already improved his technique too. He climbed the steps like a cat: he made up a lot of ground for Van Aert in those sections, and on the sand, he made the difference."
The one in Antwerp, where Van Der Poel took his seventh victory in the roll of honour, the 152nd in his cyclo-cross career, it was the first of four challenges that will see all three "tenors" of the discipline involved. It was thought that compared to even 24 hours before (when Mol in the Exact Cross stage there had been the first head to head with Van Aert, which finished over a minute apart) there was more competition and the race had been set up to favour her, but the Dutchman made it clear that there is no one left for anyone.
Van Aert still late
"I was a bit disappointed by Van Aert," Bramati says, "and his second place doesn't fool me. I saw him as cumbersome on foot and slow on the bike. Of course, nothing to worry about, on the contrary."I believe it is a direct consequence of the workload he is carrying out for the road season. I know he also went to check out some cobblestone sections this week in preparation for Roubaix. It's clear he approaches these races with a different spirit than usual."
However, Van Aert, with great skill, was able to muzzle his opponents. Even a commendable Eli Iserbyt who remained close to him until the final lap and finally happy with the third place which strengthens his lead in the Cup. The same cannot be said of Pidcock, whose performance in Antwerp went down in history for his bad fall at the start, where he really risked hitting his forehead against the barrier, sending a shiver down the spines of all the fans. A narrow entry into the top 10: after last Sunday's victory in Namur in the previous stage, more was really to be expected from the British rider.
A comparison with the past
At this point, it's hard to imagine Van Der Poel finding any competition, so much so that a season without defeats is already being predicted for him, the only one of the three who will continue all the way to the World Championship.
«I have never seen such superiority – says Bramati – except perhaps at the time of Roland LibotonI remember when he was running to the Guerciotti he had monstrous legs, it is perhaps the closest comparison to what VDP is displaying around the European meadows."
The next challenge between the three will be right after Christmas, on Boxing Day in Gavere, on a very different route, with lots of climbing and fewer technical sections. Some people think this could change the situation a bit, but Bramati doesn't think so.
«There is a huge difference in power – he says – at least a minute between him and all the others. I don't think Van Aert is worried about this though., it is clear that the Belgian is further behind in his preparation precisely because of the road season".
Another piece for Viezzi
On the sidelines of the elite race, The Antwerp test gave further satisfaction to Italy thanks to Stefano Viezzi, second in the junior race behind the Frenchman Aubin Sparfel However, she's getting closer to his lead in the standings, and the battle between the two is becoming more and more exciting. That uncertainty no longer exists at the overall level, given the superiority of Van Der Poel and her world champion compatriot Fem. Van Empel, with his eleventh victory in 11 races.
