Cyclo-cross: Van der Haar on this season’s successes and goals

At 30 years old, Lars van der Haar (Baloise Trek Lions) has found a new freshness.

The Dutch winner of the 2013-2014 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup is gearing up towards his big goals for December and January after an impressive run in November that saw him claim back the European Champion’s jersey and celebrate victory at UCI World Cup level, in Tábor (Czech Republic).

You’ve raced 16 cyclo-cross events so far this season, and many big races are still ahead. How did you build your programme?

Lars van der Haar: I just had a normal road season, and then I started planning the cross season. I saw chances for the European Championships, because I knew there would be a lot of climbing and I thought that would be a race for me. I tried to work towards that goal, and of course we had to go to America [for the first three rounds of the 2021-2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup] at the beginning of the season and there we couldn’t train that much. So I tried to work a lot towards America, and then work on that form for the Euros.

“I felt good, so I just thought: ‘Let’s go for it’.”

Were you going there with the gold medal in mind?

L.V.D.H.: Well, if you’re focusing on a race, you definitely want to win it. It won’t happen just because you have it in mind... but I’m not focusing on coming third of course! After Iowa and Zonhoven [he was 2nd in both these two UCI World Cup rounds], I knew that the form was really good and that a lot was possible on a good day. It also depends on your competitions, and what your rivals are doing.

What did this victory mean to you?

L.V.D.H.: A lot. I hadn’t won many races recently, and to win in a Championship, giving you a jersey for a year, that’s something special, even more in your own country. It doesn’t get much better than that.

And you soon followed up with a UCI World Cup win...

L.V.D.H.: I was already feeling really good in Niel [4th in the Jaarmarktcross, the third round of the Superprestige series, four days after the European Championships] and then I had two rest days towards Tábor [UCI World Cup round in the Czech Republic], where I also wanted to do really well because the course suits me. I felt good, so I just thought: ‘Let’s go for it’. To win so quickly, with the jersey, it was something really special for me as well.

“I can’t really put my finger on what has changed"

Your last UCI World Cup victory dates back almost five years. Have you changed in that time?

L.V.D.H.: I haven’t really changed much, but the racing has. I had some injuries here and there, the young guys were really good… I can’t really put my finger on what has changed, what is different, but I think that at the moment I’m just really happy in the team. Everything is just going the way I want it to go, so I don’t have to worry about all the stupid things and I think it makes it much easier on your mind and maybe that gives you a push for the win.

You’re now 3rd in the overall standings of the 2021-2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. Are you thinking about it?

L.V.D.H.: Honestly, I’m not focusing on the general classification. With the points system, there’s a big difference between the first two riders and the rest. I think it’s really difficult to actually get back. I’ve decided to go for other goals.

It’s been ten days since we’ve seen you in competition, with 5th place at the UCI World Cup in Koksijde. How are you?

L.V.D.H: I was actually supposed to ride Kortrijk [Toon Aerts won the X2O Badkamers Trofee round on Sunday] but I hurt my back during a recon. I had so much pain and I couldn’t get on and off the saddle anymore, so unfortunately I did not start. I didn’t do anything on Saturday and Sunday, and I felt a little bit better on Monday so I was able to train, just riding on the road. Coming out of the saddle still hurt my back but it wasn’t worse. Today [Tuesday], it’s already better and I hope I can start this Saturday in Boom (Telenet Superprestige De Schorre Boom), which I think will be possible.

What dates are marked on your calendar?

L.V.D.H.: I want to be really good in Namur [tenth round of the UCI World Cup, on 19 December]. It’s a course I really love to do. And the UCI World Championships [29-30 January 2022] remain very important for me. I think, in Fayetteville [USA], I can have real chances, maybe not to win, but for a podium. I have specific goals and this is why I also need to skip some other races, to be at my best.