Van der Poel takes glory in Tabor

MathieuvanderPoel - Cropped

The men's elite race at the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships was won by Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday.

The Dutchman finished in a time of one hour, nine minutes and 12 seconds to clinch his first gold at the senior games, having topped the podium in the junior races in 2012 and 2013.

Van der Poel was 15 seconds clear of his nearest rival in Tabor, with Belgium's Wout Van Aert taking silver.

Bronze went to Lars van der Haar, who was a further two seconds back, but well clear of Kevin Pauwels who finished over a minute off the pace.

"It was mentally a hard race," Van der Poel said. "I didn't have a big gap, it was always about 10 seconds. But I had a lot of confidence.

"In the warm up the barriers were difficult, but I knew in the race it could make a difference. The first two laps weren't that great, but then I took time there every lap.

"It's a lot different [being world champion].

"I don't think I have the confidence to know what it's going to mean in the next season, but it will be awesome to ride in that jersey."

Author(s)