Published November 21, 2014 10:27AM
Van der Haar to miss Koksijde World Cup with fever
World Cup leader and last year's title-winner, Lars van der Haar, will sit out round two in Koksijde, a major setback for the 23-year-old
Lars van der Haar (Giant-Shimano) won the World Cup in Valkenburg to take an early lead in the series. However, he will have to forfeit his standing after Saturday because he was scratched from the Koksijde start list due to fever. Photo: Tim De Waele | <a href=http://www.tdwsport.com target="_blank">TDWsport.com</a>
World Cup leader Lars van der Haar (Giant-Shimano) will miss the second round of the prestigious cyclocross series to be held Saturday in Koksijde, Belgium. The 2013-2014 ‘cross World Cup winner has a fever and was told by his doctor not to race.
“I’m not allowed to start tomorrow in World Cup Koksijde,” van der Haar tweeted. “I still had a slight fever waking up. So doctor is giving the order not to start.”
After winning the first World Cup round in Valkenburg, Netherlands in October, the 23-year-old cyclocross star looked to be on track for another run at the series title. However, he will face an uphill battle after this setback.
“Maybe if I recover well today, I’ll be allowed to start SP Spa-Francorchamps,” the Dutch cyclocross champion said on Twitter, referring to Sunday’s Superprestige race in Belgium. “But this all depends on how I feel. 🙁 I’m gutted not to start!”
Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Napoleon) sits second behind van der Haar in the World Cup, and Corné Van Kessel (Telenet-Fidea) is third going into the second round at Koksijde.