Few hours for the first Van Aert VS Van der Poel: how to watch the Exact Cross of Mol

The Exact Cross of Mol becomes the stage for the first showdown of the season between Van Aert and Van der Poel. The two riders will meet on the mud 300 days after the Hoogerheide World Championship. Beyond this Friday's appointment, they will face each other on five other occasions in just two weeks.

Where and when to watch the Exact Cross of Mol 2023

Cyclocross eagerly awaits the duel between the two best riders in the world. The return of Van Aert and Van der Poel will be a reality this coming Friday, December 22 at the Exact Cross of Mol. The race can be followed on Eurosport, Discovery+, Sporza and Flobikes.

Schedule of the Exact Cross of Mol 2023

• 13:45 Women's Elite
• 15:00 Men's Elite

The wait is over: this Friday sees the first face-to-face between Van Aert and Van der Poel

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The Flemish town of Mol is finalizing details to welcome the two great figures of the discipline. Friday will mark exactly 300 days since the last time Van Aert and Van der Poel were on the same mud. Far behind is the vibrant spectacle they offered at the Hoogerheide World Championship -which was won by the Dutchman-.

On this occasion, the notable absence will be Tom Pidcock. The British rider -who had an intense weekend with two races- will return to the ring this Saturday at the Antwerp World Cup, where Van Aert and Van der Poel will also race.

Although they will share the start for the first time in Mol, the truth is that the two geniuses of the mud have already started their cyclocross season. While Van Aert conquered with a resounding victory at the Exact Cross of Essen -then he packed his bags to attend a concentration with Jumbo-, Van der Poel also debuted with an unappealable triumph at the X2O of Herentals.

The forecasts are complicated. Both riders shone in their debut with performances that revealed they are a step ahead of the rest of their rivals; that is, the first contact with the mud already confirmed their usual superiority. Nothing new. Now, the question that fuels the conversations of fans is which of the two is the favorite to win in Mol.

Van Aert is the current winner of the race -he has won the last two editions- and has four victories in his career. For his part, Van der Poel has raised his arms in Mol on two occasions, the last one in 2019.

So, just like last season, Van Aert and Van der Poel will start at the Exact Cross of Mol. The Belgian came out victorious last year after a demonstration in which he outpaced Van der Poel -second- by almost a minute. Although the Dutchman won the highlight of the campaign -the rainbow in Hoogerheide-, the overall balance was favorable to Van Aert by 6 to 5.

Van der Poel wins against Van Aert in the total of their races -including all categories- by 120 to 60.

At first glance, an even race is expected due to the good form both have shown in their debut. Without knowing the official list of competitors, the only clear thing is that both Van Aert and Van der Poel share the favorite's poster.

The battle is served and cyclocross lovers are counting the hours to enjoy the two best riders of the specialty again.