Many cycling fans had been eagerly anticipating a thrilling battle between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, but that showdown never materialized. Van der Poel proved to be in dominant form, though Van Aert’s poor starting position certainly played a role in the outcome.
Disastrous Start for Van Aert
Right from the beginning, things went wrong for Van Aert. Instead of moving up the ranks, he found himself falling further behind. “I was on the outside, and then there was a crash on the inside. A domino effect pushed me towards the barriers, where I almost came to a complete stop,” Van Aert explained after the race.
Now, footage has surfaced that confirms exactly what happened. A Czech rider veered sideways, forcing Van Aert to a standstill. This was a devastating setback for anyone hoping to compete for the world title.
No Chance to Close the Gap
Van Aert later reflected on how the incident shaped his race: “I got boxed in right away, and in the first corner, I was pushed against the barriers. There was no space to move up, so I had to wait. But at that moment, I already knew it would be nearly impossible to catch Van der Poel.”
Even before the race, Van Aert had considered the possibility that his poor starting position could cost him a chance at victory. “I had already taken this scenario into account beforehand.”
However, despite the frustrating start, he managed to stay calm and focus on his race. “On the other hand, I could keep my composure and continue riding my own pace. With all due respect, I know I am one of the best in this field, but that doesn’t count when you’re racing against Van der Poel.”
In the end, Van Aert’s chances were effectively over before they began, and cycling fans were left without the highly anticipated battle between the sport’s two biggest stars.
