Cyclocross world champion Mathieu van der Poel has withdrawn from the X2O Trophy Koksijde race on Friday, January 3 because of the rib harm he sustained after Christmas.
It is the second occasion Van der Poel has been compelled to overlook on his deliberate 11-race calendar after additionally skippping Wednesday’s GP Sven Nys.
Van der Poel sustained the harm throughout his solo win on the Precise Cross Loenhout when he clipped a wood put up whereas executing a flip within the closing laps. Regardless of holding onto that win and triumphing on the World Cup in Besançon two days later, the harm has solely worsened.
Alpecin-Deceuninck introduced he would miss Koksijde on Thursday afternoon however are but to substantiate whether or not or not he’ll skip the Dendermonde World Cup on Sunday, with a call due on the weekend.
“Mathieu van der Poel’s rib issues persist, inflicting important discomfort, significantly on heavier terrain,” learn an Instagram put up from the crew.
“Consequently, he won’t take part in Koksijde tomorrow. Concerning his participation in Dendermonde, Mathieu and the crew will decide on Saturday.”
Van der Poel has gained all 5 of his appearances convincingly within the 2024-25 cyclocross season thus far and was gutted to overlook out on one of many best-attended and most enjoyable programs on the calendar, the place he has an important historical past.
He gained his first CX rainbow jersey there as a junior in 2012, forward of long-term rival Wout van Aert, and has gained the boys’s senior race there 4 occasions.
“That is actually disappointing as a result of Koksijde is one in all my favorite races,” stated Van der Poel.
“It’s the place I gained my first world title, for instance. But it surely’s simply too quickly. I hope to be prepared for Dendermonde, though I worry will probably be an in depth name.”
If Van der Poel can be compelled to overlook Dendermonde, he’ll solely have two races left earlier than he defends his world title in Lièvin, France and takes purpose at a seventh senior males’s rainbow jersey. Victory on February 2 would put him on the equal most alongside the 60s and 70s star Erik De Vlaeminck.
Mathieu Van der Poel’s remaining races
05/01/25 – World Cup Dendermonde (TBC on Saturday)25/01/25 – World Cup Maasmechelen26/01/25 – World Cup Hoogerheide02/02/25 – World Championships Lièvin
