Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Premier Tech) has said that teammate Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) makes winning gold at the upcoming World Cyclocross Championships in Hulst effectively impossible.
The 22-year-old Dutch rider, who has finished second to Van der Poel in multiple World Cup rounds this season, told Het Nieuwsblad that rivals have recalibrated their goals to focus on the remaining podium positions.
"Gold in a race with Mathieu as an opponent, I consider impossible," Del Grosso said. "I'm definitely aiming for silver or bronze."
Del Grosso provided a detailed breakdown of what separates Van der Poel from the rest of the field. He pointed to the Dutchman's cornering ability as a primary factor.
"Nobody takes a corner with that speed and precision," he said.
The young rider described the experience of attempting to follow Van der Poel's pace as "pure powerlessness," noting how the five-time world champion rides away from competitors even when they are operating at maximum capacity.
Del Grosso also pointed to Van der Poel's results in races where he has faced mechanical setbacks. In Maasmechelen, Van der Poel suffered multiple flat tyres yet still secured victory, a pattern that has repeated throughout the season. At Zonhoven in early January, he won despite two punctures, with Del Grosso finishing second.
Race restarts for second
At recent World Cup events, Van der Poel has often attacked in the third or fourth lap, with the group behind him then contesting the remaining podium places.
At Hoogerheide on January 25, Van der Poel claimed his record 51st World Cup victory. Del Grosso finished second, describing how the contest for that position only began once Van der Poel had established his lead.
Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq has echoed Del Grosso's assessment, calling Van der Poel "unbeatable" on the Hulst course, according to WielerNieuws. De Clercq said the technical, interval-heavy profile matches Van der Poel's combination of power and handling skills.
Del Grosso, Thibau Nys and Niels Vandeputte are among the riders expected to contest the podium places when the World Championships take place in Hulst.
Cover image credit: CorVos/SWpix.com
