The participation of top cyclocross riders Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Tom Pidcock in the upcoming winter season is still uncertain. However, experts like Paul Herygers and Ruben van Gucht are confident Van der Poel will compete. Herygers, speaking to Sporza, mentions that although fans are eager to see Van Aert back in action following his crash in the Vuelta, it may not happen as soon as they hope. He predicts Van Aert will return to cyclocross in December, emphasizing that cyclocross is less risky compared to road racing.
As for Van der Poel, Herygers is convinced the reigning world champion will participate, driven by his ambition to match Erik De Vlaeminck’s record of seven world titles. He believes Van der Poel’s technical prowess and determination make it unlikely he would skip the season. Van Gucht adds that Van der Poel could still win a world title even with limited cyclocross appearances, highlighting his strength and versatility.
Despite the anticipation surrounding these stars, none of the top three riders will compete in the season opener in Beringen. Initially, Thibau Nys was expected to dominate early in the season, but his recent illness casts doubt on his performance. Herygers and Van Gucht differ in their opinions about Nys’ readiness. While Van Gucht believes Nys had the potential to dominate, Herygers feels he might need another year before he can consistently outperform seasoned riders like Eli Iserbyt, who is shaping up to be a key contender this season.
