Van der Haar proved to be a surprise package in the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup this season as he scooped the overall prize after winning three of the first five rounds. Although his talent was already known – after third place at last year’s World Championships – few expected the Belgian strong-hold of the overall title to be broken and especially not so emphatically.

But 22-year-old Dutchman van der Haar did just that – winning in Valkenberg, Zolder and Tabor and finishing second in Rome during an incredible season. His performances were such, he was able to conserve energy in the final race of the season by simply staying safe in fifth place to seal overall victory. Now, the back-to-back Dutch champion will race in his home country with a huge crowd supporting him and looks more than capable of improving on his third place last year.