A Belgian legend speaks out, and his words are sure to stir up a debate! Roger de Vlaeminck, a true icon in the world of professional cycling, has a bold opinion on who deserves the title of the greatest cyclocross rider in history. And it's not the current record holder, Mathieu van der Poel.
De Vlaeminck, with his impressive track record of victories, including numerous monuments and Grand Tour stage wins, has become known for his outspoken nature. He often shares his unfiltered thoughts, especially when it comes to the current top riders like Tadej Pogacar and van der Poel. In a recent interview, he expressed his disagreement with the idea that van der Poel is the best cyclocross racer of all time.
"Van der Poel, Evenepoel, and Pogacar are talented, no doubt. But when I watch them, I don't find the same enjoyment as I did with the greats of my era," de Vlaeminck shared with Het Nieuwsblad. "I want to race against them, to feel the thrill of competition. I want to beat them the way I could sometimes beat Merckx. That's the kind of challenge I crave."
Speaking of Merckx, de Vlaeminck joked, "He was an absolute beast. I sometimes felt afraid just riding in his draft. But despite that, I managed to win 512 races. 512! Do I need to list them all for you?"
So, why does de Vlaeminck believe van der Poel isn't the best? His remarks on the Dutch rider have been consistent. He's previously stated that van der Poel "can't climb, can't sprint, and can't hold his own in a time trial."
This past weekend, van der Poel achieved an impressive feat, winning his eighth men's elite cyclocross world championship title, breaking the record previously held by Roger's brother, Eric de Vlaeminck. But does this achievement solidify van der Poel's status as the greatest? Not according to the veteran rider.
"Absolutely not. Not even close," de Vlaeminck argues. "With Eric, his career ended prematurely at 28 due to his reckless style. Imagine the titles he could have won if he had continued."
"Van der Poel is good, no question. He's an entertaining rider to watch. He always gives it his all. If you can stay in his wheel for three or four laps, you're doing something right. Nys can do that, and I'm a fan. But the best? I'm not convinced."
So, there you have it. A legend's opinion on who deserves the crown of the greatest cyclocross rider. But here's where it gets interesting: do you agree with de Vlaeminck's assessment? Is van der Poel truly the best, or is there someone else who deserves that title? And what about the impact of era and competition on these assessments? These are the questions that spark debate and keep the cycling community engaged. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
