Mathieu van der Poel returned to form with impressive dominance at the Superprestige Cyclocross Race held on Monday, effortlessly conquering the thick sand sections of the Mol-Zilvermeercross course amid challenging rainy conditions. The Alpecin-Deceuninck star, who had already secured victory at the Zonhoven World Cup just days prior, reaffirmed his prowess by launching an explosive attack with four laps to go, creating unbeatable gaps between him and his rivals.
Van der Poel's performance was not without challenges. After engaging initially with Laurens Sweeck, who competed fiercely, the World Champion managed to pull away decisively, finishing comfortably with over a minute lead. “The intention was to take it a bit easier in the first half,” van der Poel remarked after the race, reflecting on his strategy to pace himself early on. “When I attacked on lap 4, Laurens matched me for some time, but I found my rhythm as the race progressed.”
Following his second victory of the season, van der Poel showed no signs of slowing down, his form peaking just as the World Championships approach. He acknowledged the difficulties posed by the growing depths of the sand, stating, “It took some time to ride through the sand well. I found my good lines only later on. The conditions made it challenging.”
Meanwhile, Ceylin Alvarado achieved her fourth win out of five at the Superprestige with another stellar performance, edging out Lucinda Brand. Alvarado, competing on the same day, has consistently shown her superiority on the technically demanding course. The race was marked by her decisive attack midway through, capitalizing on Brand's missteps as she struggled through the sand-filled sections.
Alvarado expressed her satisfaction with the result: “I managed to push the pace when I noticed Lucinda was not as strong on the hills. That gave me the opportunity to take the lead.” Brand, after leading early on, faced difficulties maintaining momentum, including moments of mishap where she was forced to dismount her bike.
The inclement weather and coarse terrain led many competitors, including the early race leader Niels Vandeputte, to adapt their approach, often opting to run through the sand sections rather than ride. This strategic choice highlighted the race's challenging nature. Alvarado's and Brand's rivalry underscored the high stakes at play, as each sought to establish dominance early on.
Despite the setbacks, Brand remained within sight of Alvarado until the final lap, where Alvarado's superior technical skills allowed her to maintain her lead. “The sand and ruts were tough today, but I truly enjoyed the challenge,” Alvarado concluded, celebrating her hard-earned victory.
Other notable performances included Michael Vanthourenhout, who finished third, 1:35 behind, and junior rider Conor Murphy from Ireland, who placed 11th, showing promising talent at this competitive level. Murphy's achievement marks another top performance within the European cyclocross season, reflecting the growing prominence of Irish talent.
The Superprestige series continues to intrigue spectators, with only three races remaining, leading up to the World Championships. With van der Poel and Alvarado both excelling, the climactic moments of the season are still to be written, and fans eagerly await the next installment of thrilling cyclocross racing.
