Van der Poel admits that the World Championship is too tough for him: "These will be the last weeks that I will race in this jersey"

The current World Champion Mathieu van der Poel is realistic about his chances of victory in the upcoming World Championships in Zurich, especially after his fall in the Renewi Tour, a race he abandoned with a slightly injured knee that, although it won't prevent him from participating in the European Championship and the World Championship, has disrupted his preparation for these races.

Mathieu van der Poel admits that the World Championship is too tough for his characteristics

Since we learned about the route of the World Championships in Zurich, considering its toughness, most of us who regularly follow this sport had a fairly clear idea that it would be very difficult to see Mathieu van der Poel defending the title he won last year in Glasgow.

Now, as the event approaches on September 29, it is Van der Poel himself who opens up in an interview with the Belgian newspaper Het-Niewsblad "It's difficult to be in top form at the end of the season. There are only a few races left. I tried to rest after the Olympics, but this meant a decline in my form and I hope my best condition can return in this final phase. As always, I need to race to reach it. My dream was to be world champion and I achieved it last year".

However, a spectacular fall in the Renewi Tour a few days ago forced the Dutchman to retire, preventing him from accumulating some of those competition days he needs. In any case, although initially there was speculation that the knee injury could be somewhat serious, it will ultimately result in a few days of rest that will not prevent him from continuing with his schedule, which includes participation in the European Championship on Sunday, September 15, and the Tour of Luxembourg between the 18th and 22nd of this month.

Van der Poel acknowledges that the World Championships in Zurich seem, at first glance, too tough, especially considering that climbers much stronger than him such as Tadej Pogacar or Remco Evenepoel have targeted this event. In any case, he warns "I wouldn't go to the World Championships if I didn't have any chance" implying that the focus on Pogacar and Evenepoel will give him more freedom to play his cards.

As for the European Championship, another event where he could end the season on a high note, the issue is the opposite, with the Alpecin-Deceuninck cyclist pointing out the lack of toughness in the race. In any case, Mathieu expressed satisfaction with his season wearing the rainbow jersey "It was wonderful to race in the rainbow jersey and even more wonderful to achieve the Flanders and Roubaix double. A memory I will always carry with me".