Mathieu Van der Poel finished well down in the weekends cyclo-cross race in Val di Sole.
The so-called “snow cross” delivered a course packed with rock hard white stuff.
Van der Poel took a view that there was a bigger picture to his season and visibly eased off, just ensuring he got round in one piece, as opposed to racing at the pointy end.
After his Antwerp crash last weekend that looked a wise strategy. Eli Iserbyt crashing hard mid race and looking in real distress after being wrapped in a spectators coat before being carried away from the course.
There were positives though. Lots of super competitive racing and some amazing optics which shows the course in its full glory.
I think that the organisers will be looking for softer, more powdery snow in 2023 to avoid getting a reputation of having a course that’s a rider breaker.
Here is the on bike course recon ride that shows you just how slippy it was.
Fendrien 