Van der Poel: Olympics the north star of my 2024 season

ByEurosport

Published 28/12/2023 at 16:43 GMT

Mathieu van der Poel has outlined his ambitions for 2024. Van der Poel is the defending cyclo-cross world champion and is looking to win it for a sixth time next year. The Dutchman is chasing down the record of seven wins set by Belgian Eric De Valeminck between 1966 and 1973. Van der Poel also says the Paris 2024 Olympics will also be the “north star” of what is set to be a busy campaign.Van der Poel pushes slow lapped rider on his way to victory in Gavere

Mathieu van der Poel is targeting Olympics success in 2024 as he potentially looks to go for gold in both the mountain bike and road race disciplines in Paris.

He says he will target the World Championships at least into 2025 as he looks to either equal or topple Eric De Vlaeminck’s seven rainbow jerseys secured between 1966 and 1973.

“I’m focused on a sixth cyclo-cross world title, I’m not thinking about anything else.”

The Dutchman says the 2024 Olympics in Paris are the “north star” of his 2024 campaign, but insists he is focussed on the World Championships for now.

“I’ll worry about planning the rest of my season after that. For sure the Olympics are the north star of my 2024 season.

“We’ve got to study the best path to Paris, perhaps combining it with the Tour de France, it’s a difficult puzzle to work out.

Highlights: Van der Poel continues winning streak with win in Gavere

“I still haven’t decided if I’ll just ride the road race [August 3] or the mountain bike race [July 29] or both.”

Van der Poel is currently lodged in an intense nine-race cyclo-cross schedule ahead of the World Championships on February 4.

Nevertheless, the 28-year-old says he will still look to combine cyclo-cross racing with pre-season road training, in a method that differs somewhat from rivals Wout van Aert and Britain’s Tom Pidcock.

“Cyclo-cross is still a good way of preparing for my road season and the Worlds is still an objective,” Van der Poel said.

“I don’t know how I’ll think about that in the years to come. Things will perhaps change.”

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Alongside his cycling objectives, Van der Poel has a broader wish for the planet.

“I just want to enjoy my year in the rainbow jersey and confirm all the good things I did in 2023,” he said.

“If I look beyond the world of sport, there’s no doubt: I can only wish for peace in the world.”

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