On the same day that Lars van der Haar powerfully climbed the Koppenberg to win the first round of the X2O Badkamers Trofee in Oudenaarde, his young Trek Baloise Lions teammate Pim Longhaar played an important supporting role, finishing 5th in the He finished in fifth place.

This Coppencross set the stage for this weekend's UEC European Cyclocross Championships. His biggest rival will be teammate Tibau Nys (20), while U23 champion Ryan Kamp will compete in the elite category for the Dutch team.

"I'm really looking forward to this Saturday. [I'm] really motivated to get that jersey. Last year Ryan [Kamp] was European champion, so this year I want to take the jersey from him," he told Cycling News, laughing lightly.

Ronhar and Nys teamed up on Tuesday and rode at a high pace up the Koppenberg. They set the stage for van der Haar to power up the monumental climb on the final lap for an upset victory.

"What Lars has done in Koppenberg is something I can only dream of in the years to come. I hope to improve every year and win one day in the future," the 21-year-old said of his efforts in the elite group.

Ronhal followed up his fifth-place finish in Fayetteville with a third-place finish in Besançon in the 2021-2022 season, his first podium finish in a World Cup elite race. He opened this year's World Cup season with sixth place at Waterloo and 19th at Fayetteville, both elite races, on dry, fast, technical courses.

"Yeah, it's definitely fast and technical. That's where it doesn't suit me as much as the mud races, but I really worked hard this summer to get good speed in my legs," said the former Continental champion of the 2018 men's junior cyclocross competition.

"My third place in Besançon was also on a muddy course, and Fayetteville was also on a muddy course. So it's a little bit difficult to get a top-five finish here [in Waterloo].

"For now, I'm going to the European and World Championships in the under 23 category. I'm doing very well in the elite category this season and I could switch. But for now I'm going to do it in the under 23 category."

Ronhaar is optimistic as he leaves open the possibility of Camp competing in the men's U23 contest in Namur on Saturday; Nys has been the fastest or second fastest U23 in every race this season, and Ronhaar has been right there with him. And Namur's course has climbs, which he likes.

Ronhaar's opening race of the year was the elite division Klebercross in the Netherlands. He has experience in big 'cross competitions, including winning the U23 world title in the sands of Oostende in 2021, and has recently gained valuable experience on the road.

This summer he won the mountains title in the five-stage Flèche du Sud, where his teammate Nys took the overall win and the young rider of the year award.

"Yeah, for sure, I like to climb, and races like Flèche du Sud really suit us. We are better prepared for the road season than we were two years ago. We worked really hard this summer. And now we are really ready for the cyclo-cross season. So cyclocross definitely helps," he said. [Cross is] my favorite discipline. Last year I enjoyed road racing. The year before last, I didn't. Of course, I was in a little better shape [this past year], so the races were easier. Next year I hope to do well in the stage races and GC."

Career goals for the next few years: "I think it would be great to compete in a Grand Tour. And the best case scenario is to win the Tour de France," he added with a big smile.