Lars van der Haar himself contacted UCI CEO Van den Abeele after statements: “I am anything but anti-World Cup”

Video The discussion about the format of the Cyclo-Cross World Cup has flared up again, now that UCI cyclo-cross boss Peter Van den Abeele has had his say about upcoming changes. He also quoted Lars van der Haar, who has been a fierce opponent of the current World Cup format for a long time. Van der Haar was called anti-World Cup, and that is precisely why the rider contacted the UCI CEO. He tells that CyclingFlits.

In an extensive interview with CyclingFlits Van den Abeele said that the UCI is seriously considering the design of the 2024-2025 World Cup. There will be changes, that’s for sure. He also responded to criticism from the riders. “Sometimes I don’t understand the riders very well. Certainly Lars van der Haar’s explanation. He was often very anti-World Cup in his statements. What should we do then? A concentrated World Cup with a round every Saturday and Sunday, from mid-December to the end of January? That is also possible.”

‘I always thought it was too much in the World Cup’
De Woudenberger also read the statements and took action accordingly. “I told Peter that I regret that he said it that way, because I am anything but anti-World Cup. I am pro-cross and pro-everything,” he says with a wink, but with a serious undertone in front of the camera CyclingFlits. “I’ve always thought it’s a bit too much. I think you are now seeing the consequences of that.”

At the beginning of February, the UCI will mainly discuss reducing the number of heats in the World Cup. The current format, with no fewer than fourteen crosses, will disappear. Van der Haar cites another interview, which shows that the current design does not work. “When you hear Timon Rüegg’s story that cyclocross in Switzerland is no longer alive because of the World Cup, that’s just a shame.”

“I think there are many possibilities to create a wonderful World Cup that everyone is satisfied with,” said Van der Haar. “We still have to look at the calendar, but Peter also said: ‘Where there is work, there are always people who complain.’ I was one of them now, but I just hope they make something beautiful out of it and I definitely think it will be better if it is a little less.”

‘I see Van den Abeele as a very good UCI coordinator’
The Baloise Trek Lions rider now had contact with the UCI CEO for the first time. “I sent him a message. I’ve never spoken to him before that, but he’s certainly open to it. I see Peter as a very good UCI coordinator, so I think things are going well,” Van der Haar emphasizes. “But sometimes it is not smart to do everything through the media.”

He does understand that questions keep coming up. “I have been opposing this for five years. And if you have a big mouth, then it is more than right that questions are asked about that too. I hope things go in the right direction. I’m glad things are changing. Whatever that will be, we’ll see. This is certainly a good start.”

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Listen from 1:05 to the WielerFlits Podcast about Van den Abeele’s statements.