Michael Vanthourenhout was concerned last weekend about the fact that Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert started running with so much attention, before they had even ridden a single cross. Niels Albert has wise advice for Vanthourenhout.
After weeks of speculation, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel announced their cross program. Van der Poel rides eleven crosses and makes his return in Zonhoven on Sunday, Van Aert rides six crosses and starts again a day later in Mol.
Michael Vanthourenhout was annoyed by the amount of attention Van der Poel and Van Aert received in recent weeks, even though they had not yet ridden a single cross. “But that’s how it goes with world stars/phenomena,” says Niels Albert HLN.
Albert sees opportunities for Vanthourenhout
Albert advises Vanthourenhout not to be bothered by it anymore. Because it is what it is. There is only one way for Vanthourenhout to respond well and that is with his legs, Albert believes. And there is also an advantage for Vanthourenhout.
“Realize that that pressure-free shadow position also offers a kind of peace to be able to rise above yourself,” says Albert. If Vanthourenhout finishes seventh or eighth, no one will crow about that.
“If Mathieu and Wout do that, the room is on fire. And it’s like: ‘oh, what now?'” That will also be the case in the coming weeks and crossers like Vanthourenhout can benefit from that.
