Van der Poel speaks ahead of the World Championships: "We are really evenly matched"

Van der Poel considers his chances of winning in Hoogerheide against Van Aert to be 50-50. This is what he said in a statement in which he assured that small details such as the state of the circuit will be decisive.

Van der Poel vs Van Aert, the next duel between the world's best

The fight for the rainbow jersey this Sunday in Hoogerheide is expected to be a close one between the two mud stars. This is also the opinion of Van der Poel himself, who has declared that: "We are really evenly matched".

Although the general feeling is that Van Aert is slightly ahead of him, Van der Poel imagines such a match that he does not dare to give a favourite, but predicts a 50-50 chance. At the age of 28, the Dutchman is aiming to win his fifth World Championship in the speciality.

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The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider's feelings were not the best at the beginning of the year, when the back problems he had suffered in the past reappeared. However, everything seems to indicate that he will be in top condition for Sunday's World Championships after winning the World Cup in Besançon.

After the French race, he declared that: “My chances seem fifty-fifty to me, but Wout has had the upper hand a number of times this season.”

Van Aert will be up against him. The Belgian also won the X2O in Hamme with authority and will try to win his fourth World Championship. A rivalry nourished by years of confrontations that leave the balance of the World Championships in 4-3 for the Dutchman.

Van der Poel's confidence seems to have increased after his performance in Besançon, where he said that "Hopefully I can put up a fight and we are really evenly matched" and added that "I want to ride my best 'cross of the season at the World Championships."

A question of details

In view of the close race, Van der Poel believes that it will be the details that will make the difference. In that sense, whoever is more inspired or better will have the advantage.

Another aspect to take into account is the weather. The Dutchman said that the race "will depend a lot on the weather conditions". The truth is that in a discipline like cyclo-cross, rain can greatly alter the conditions in which the race takes place.

In theory, a muddier course would suit Van Aert, while a dry course would suit Van der Poel. But as is often the case with these two riders, the differences between the two can be minimal in both circumstances.

In addition, former World Champion and Van der Poel's father, Adrie is helping to design the Hoogerheide circuit. Several 180-degree corners have been eliminated, which are the ones that bring out his son's back problems earlier.

Finally, he said: “I am happy with my form. Now I’ll try to rest up and do some short training sessions. Hopefully I will be in the best shape at the start in Hoogerheide.”