Mathieu van der Poel is deliberately approaching this cyclocross winter differently \u2014 and he knows it shows. The Alpecin\u2013Deceuninck star has adjusted his preparation. He is opting for a later and calmer build-up rather than chasing top form from the outset.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year I was just a little further,\u201d Van der Poel said after winning in Namur. \u201cThen I had trained a little more specifically. This year we planned it a little later.\u201d The shift, he explained to WielerFlits<\/a>, was entirely intentional.<\/p>\n Last winter, Van der Poel felt he peaked too early, both in training and in the opening races. \u201cI had the feeling that I was just a little too good too quickly,\u201d he said. While that brought early results, it left him with limited room to grow as the season progressed. \u201cI felt that I hadn\u2019t improved much more towards the world championships,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n This time, the focus is on long-term gains. Van der Poel admits there are still steps to take, particularly in race effort. \u201cEspecially the effort has to be better,\u201d he said. \u201cI think the technical will come naturally.\u201d<\/p>\n By dialing back the specificity early on, Van der Poel is betting that patience now will translate into a higher ceiling later in the winter. And remember, the Dutchman is trying to break the all-time record for elite men\u2019s rainbow jerseys early next year.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race at Namur, Lucinda Brand extended her dominant season with a tenth World Cup win. She finished ahead of series leader Aniek van Alphen. Puck Pieterse made a strong season debut, moving up to fourth and chasing a podium battle with Amandine Fouquenet, who finished third. Brand led from early on and never looked back, while Pieterse<\/a> held within striking distance but couldn\u2019t catch Fouquenet.<\/p>\n