In the world of sports, sometimes talents emerge who are undeniably above the rest. In the United States, people have been amazed in recent months by a Slovenian kid under 20 who is taking over the NBA and world basketball. Luka Doncic is everywhere, in all media, both sports and general. He's such a talent that it's impossible for us to guess where his ceiling will be.

• Are you coming to this blog to talk about basketball? Is Baggicase now going to start manufacturing basketballs and not just selling waterproof bike covers?

I was just putting you in the picture.

In cycling, we have talent that stands above the rest. He's Dutch, 24 years old, and today he's one of the world's most important cyclists.

I may offend someone with this statement, but I dare say that Mathieu van der Poel is not only the greatest cycling talent of the moment, but the best cyclist in the world . I think I've even been offended (sorry Alejandro, sorry Peter, sorry Nino...), but sometimes I think about it. When you add immense talent to the attitude and mindset of a champion, you have this insatiable two-wheeled predator.

Let's analyze Mathieu van der Poel's seasons. I don't really know what to call his seasons, because they're not like any other cyclist's. They don't start in January and end in October, like road cyclists. They don't start in September and end in February, like cross-country cyclists. Nor do they start in April and end in September, like fat-tire specialists.

Van der Poel lives in a continuous season. It never ends. Mathieu has just completed one of the most stratospheric seasons for a rider in the history of cyclo-cross. In fact, for many, he's the best cross-country rider in history. He's won almost everything. And I say almost because he's dropped a few races, but he's only been defeated twice this season. 34 wins out of 36 races. 94% effectiveness. 26 consecutive victories. Among them his now-famous "jinx" event, the world championship.

And now we can say that the best cyclocross cyclist in the world is wearing the rainbow jersey.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Picture by Le Soir[/caption]

• Good. It's clear he's the best cyclocross racer in the world. Is that why you're writing to us, Fran? Everyone knows that!

Okay, you're right, dear reader. So far, I've only told you the obvious. Let's talk about the future. The future that's here in just over two weeks. When I said Mathieu lives in a full season, it's because he's leaving one discipline and already competing in another. Now comes the moment that, for many of us, generates the greatest cycling hype of the year: the arrival of Mathieu van der Poel at the major classics.

We've been waiting for years for the duel between van der Poel and van Aert on the road (in major events), and this year 2019 we finally have it.

• Come on, Fran, now you're going to tell us that a kid who's barely been on the road, racing in a third-rate team, is going to be at the same level as Sagan and company in Flanders. You're going to be amazed.

Yes, my friend. I guarantee it. Remember Wout van Aert (a Baggicase rider, by the way) last year in the Classics? Do you remember him turning everything upside down at the Strade Bianche? Not only that, but in Flanders and Roubaix, I'd dare say he was one of the top five strongest riders when the road wasn't paved anymore.

Well, van der Poel's situation is going to be worse. Worse for Sagan and company, and better for us. Imagine them both. Van Aert has had a terrible time this entire mud season. He hasn't been up to par. The off-road issues have been his woes, and he never reached the level to compete against the Dutchman. His time is coming; the road must be his redemption. He's on a World Tour team, he'll be competing in all the events, he finally has professional stability. And he has something Mathieu lacks: experience in the major classics. Blessed rivalry, and blessed mud.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Picture by CX Magazine[/caption]

• Yes, whatever you want, you can sell it beautifully. But it's not doing anything for this road.

You're heavy. Mathieu has already proven that he has a lot to offer on the road. He's the reigning Dutch champion, European runner-up, and was also a junior world champion in Florence (Rui Costa's year, yes). He has explosiveness, power, technique... The only thing he lacks is experience and racing know-how. Plus, he doesn't have a team. But there's no doubt that this kid will be with the best on the Flemish walls. Although, now that I think about it, that inexperience could lead to some glorious moments. If there's one rider I expect to blow everything up in Flanders, it's him.

By the way, he won't be in Paris-Roubaix. His debut in the northern hell will likely be in 2020. Van der Poel versus van Aert, in Roubaix. What if it rains and a mud fest ensues? It never rains in Roubaix, but what if it does?

If I were a film producer, I'd be there taking notes.

Epilogue : Oh, and after the classics, don't think the kid's going home for a rest. Now, as part of his endless season, the mountain bike season begins. His assault on XCO. Last year he was at a great level, but a step below Nino Schurter (the Goku of XCO) and Gerhard Kerschbaumer (the Pantani of fat tires). But Tokyo is approaching, and Mathieu wants Olympic gold. Well, Mathieu wants it all. Because he can get it.