Adrie Van der Poel warns cyclocross limits even the toughest

Allez TL;DR

Cyclocross is brutal, even for Mathieu van der Poel. His father Adrie, a legend himself, is candid about the toll it takes and the hard realities of juggling it with top-level road racing.

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Adrie van der Poel knows cyclocross like few others – a former world champion and seasoned pro who carved out a stellar road career. So when he speaks about the challenges his son Mathieu faces balancing the intensity of cyclocross, it carries real weight. Mathieu’s talents are undeniable, seamlessly crossing between cyclocross and road disciplines, but Adrie’s message is clear: this isn’t a game you can play without consequences.

“You can’t just ride three days of cyclocross without it affecting you,” Adrie remarked, highlighting how physically and mentally demanding the discipline is. It’s a candid reminder that Mathieu’s extended seasons – pushing the limits in cyclocross and on the road – come at a price, and those limits grow tougher to push back as time goes on.

For Mathieu, the challenge is maintaining peak performance without burning out or risking injury, especially given the overlapping calendars and the all-in nature of cyclocross races. It’s the kind of insight only a former world champ with firsthand experience can provide, and it adds a layer of realism beneath the glamor of Mathieu’s versatility.

In the grand scheme, this isn’t just about Mathieu – it’s about the brutal nature of cyclocross itself. It’s a discipline that demands everything, and even the brightest stars have to know when to step back. Mathieu’s future approach may involve hard choices about where to channel his energy.

Allez, it’s clear cyclocross doesn’t give its gifts for free, not even to a Van der Poel.

Sources: Stickybottle