Paris 2024 Olympics is the 'north star of my season' next year, says Mathieu Van der Poel
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ByEurosport
Published 20/03/2024 at 13:19 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 win two gold medals in a mountain bike and road race combo in Paris.
Van der Poel has dominated in cyclo-cross so far this winter, winning all four races that he has competed in, and is confirmed to ride at the World Championships in Czech Republic in February.
The Dutchman says the 2024 Olympics in Paris is the "north star" of his 2024 campaign, but insists he is focussed on the World Championships for now.
He says he will target the UCI World Championships at least into 2025 as he looks to either equal or topple Eric De Valeminck's seven rainbow jerseys secured between 1966 and 1973.
"I'm focused on a sixth cyclocross world title, I'm not thinking about anything else," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"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.
"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 amid an intense nine-race cyclocross schedule ahead of the World Championships on February 4. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old says he will still look to combine cyclocross racing with pre-season road training.
"Cyclocross is still a good way of preparing for my road season and the Worlds is still an objective," he said.
"I don't know how I'll think about that in the years to come. Things will perhaps change."
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Top five Van der Poel wins of 2023 – from classics to World Championships
Alongside his cycling objectives, Van der Poel has a 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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