An authentic show.
A challenge to the last pedal stroke and with no holds barred, won for the fifth time (the fourth over the direct competitor, practically a record) by Mathieu Van der Poel who, however, had to wait for the last meters before graduating for the fifth time cyclo-cross world champion.
The Dutchman, son of the great Adrie and grandson of the Frenchman Raymond Poulidor, one of the most loved riders in history and 'eternal second' to Jacques Anquetil as well as Eddy Merckx (but not only), won the challenge between the two 'Van ', once again relegating the Belgian Wout Van Aert to the second step of the podium, thus risking in turn becoming the 'eternal runner-up' of the nephew of the runner-up par excellence.
Almost a competitive counterbalance.
Today's challenge immediately turned into a two-way duel which ended after 1h07' of overtaking, backhands, escape attempts.
A real rusticano d'antan duel between two magnificent interpreters of the most grueling discipline of the toughest sport.
The tug of war rewarded the Dutchman, but it would be simplistic to consider Van Aert himself a finisher, because the Belgian fought hard, never gave up and it doesn't matter if he gave up the world championship victory to his opponent by a couple of meters .
The combative and never tamed Belgian emerges from the Dutch Hoogerheide event with his head held high.
The dangerous crossing between the two champions of suffering and mud cheered the more than 50,000 spectators who gathered at the edge of the track.
For all, thanks to the performances of Van der Poel and Van Aert,
it was a day to remember.
A great sports event, which exalted cycling in all its forms.
All in view of a season to be experienced, which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads around the world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, Roger's brother, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
A great sports event, which exalted cycling in all its forms.
All in view of a season to be experienced, which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads around the world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
A great sports event, which exalted cycling in all its forms.
All in view of a season to be experienced, which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads around the world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
which has exalted cycling in all its forms.
All in view of a season to be experienced, which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads around the world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
which has exalted cycling in all its forms.
All in view of a season to be experienced, which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads around the world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, Roger's brother, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads of the whole world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
which will reserve other challenges and battles (some have already been consumed) on the roads of the whole world.
The podium was completed by the other Belgian Eli Iserbyt, who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of the humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, Roger's brother, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
who can also console himself with the ideal title of first of humans.
Van der Poel, with today's triumph, in the classification of world championship victories in cyclo-cross has hooked the Italian Renato Longo and the French André Dufraisse, also stuck in five titles and preceded only by the Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, brother of Roger, who of hits in his career he collected seven.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
who has collected seven hits in his career.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
who has collected seven hits in his career.
Filippo Fontana, who was then the only blue in the race, finished in 28th place, with a gap of 3'48" from Van der Poel
