Van der Poel Chasing History at CX World Championships
- "They'd have to amputate a leg for Mathieu van der Poel to loose these world championships," he said.
- And Nys wasn't being hyperbolic when he spoke to Wielerflits earlier this week.
- Van der Poel obliterated the cyclocross winter with a bulldozer-meets-ballerina panache that's never been seen before.
Updated January 28, 2026 11:49AM
Cyclocross legend Sven Nys summed it up perfectly.
“They’d have to amputate a leg for Mathieu van der Poel to loose these world championships,” he said.
And Nys wasn’t being hyperbolic when he spoke to Wielerflits earlier this week.
Van der Poel obliterated the cyclocross winter with a bulldozer-meets-ballerina panache that’s never been seen before.
And now it seems like only a lost limb will stop the Dutch dominator from cementing “CX GOAT” status on Sunday at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships.
If Van der Poel wins on Sunday, he’ll go one better than Eric de Vlaeminck and remove any last doubt about who’s the best male ‘crosser in history. The two toppers are currently tied on seven elite cyclocross titles apiece,a mark that’s only bettered by Marianne Vos.
But the sad truth? That line of the record book will be overlooked when MVDP starts chasing Tadej Pogačar around San Remo in six weeks’ time.
In a modern era of WorldTour superteams and a Slovenian slayer, it’s the road that rules cycling’s conscience. Cyclocross is more at the margins than ever.
But that won’t stop Van der Poel from chasing his own muddy legacy in a rare corner of cycling that’s safe from King Pog.
‘Racing against Van der Poel is demotivating’
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There’s a sense of collective resign
Mathieu van der Poel is on the cusp of cementing his cyclocross legacy, but he remains focused on the task at hand: winning the world championship in Hulst on Sunday.
Despite a dominant performance last week in Antwerp, reported by Het Laatste Nieuws, the 31-year-old said what came before – including his double-puncture comeback – won’t count for anything in Hulst.
He still has to earn his legacy.
“There’s no point in trying to make a statement before the world championships. Everyone’s starting from scratch in Hulst,” he said. “I just felt really good last week, and hopefully I’ll have a good day on Sunday as well.
“I’m focused and definitely not going there with the feeling that it’s already a given. I’ve had good planning, and that gives me peace of mind,” Van der Poel said. “But it still has to happen.”
Will it take a crash, a mechanical, an act of god, or an amputated leg to stop Van der Poel?
Maybe so.
The road rules modern cycling
Unlike the Pogačar vs Merckx debate on the road, there will be there’s no doubt whatsoever over MVDP’s status as an all-time great of cyclocross if – or when – he wins on Sunday.
But don’t come at us for saying it … Van der Poel’s season will be decided on the slopes and stones of the monuments spring.
It’s the slugfests with Pogačar, Van Aert, and Mads Pedersen that the cycling circus craves.
they’re the races that make the year-end highlights reels.
And beyond that, it’s the smooth tarmac and big budgets of the road that capture the sponsors, harvest the clicks, and pay for MVDP’s Cyclocross World Championships 2024 & Mathieu van der Poel’s future
The 2024 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Tábor, Czech Republic, saw significant attendance and focused attention on Mathieu van der Poel’s pursuit of a record-breaking number of titles. As of January 28, 2024, organizers reported over 35,000 tickets sold for the two-day event. Cyclingnews provided live coverage and results.Mathieu van der Poel and His Cyclocross Legacy
Mathieu van der Poel views cyclocross as central to his lasting legacy in cycling, despite his successes in road racing and mountain biking. He has not yet decided when he will retire from cyclocross competition,stating his intention to continue pursuing a record number of world championship titles. HLN reported Van der Poel’s comments regarding his continued participation.
Definition / Direct Answer: Mathieu van der Poel prioritizes cyclocross as a defining part of his career and intends to continue competing in the discipline as long as he has a chance to break the record for most world championship titles.
Detail: Van der Poel’s statement indicates that his motivation extends beyond immediate success, driven by a desire for lasting recognition within the cyclocross community. He acknowledges that his spring road racing performance is important, but his “first love” remains cyclocross.
Example or Evidence: Van der Poel stated to HLN that “Now that I’m so close to that record, it’s definitely a goal,” and that he would “definitely keep going” even if he did not win the 2024 World Championships.
Women’s Cyclocross Competition at the 2024 World Championships
The women’s cyclocross race at the 2024 World Championships featured a highly anticipated competition between Lucinda Brand, Puck Pieterse, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. Cycling Weekly highlighted the expected rivalry.
Definition / Direct Answer: The 2024 UCI Cyclocross world Championships women’s race was expected to be a competitive event featuring top contenders Lucinda Brand, Puck Pieterse, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Detail: The Netherlands has a strong tradition in cyclocross, and these three riders represent the country’s leading talent in the discipline. Their rivalry adds significant interest to the event.
Example or Evidence: The article in Cyclingnews specifically mentioned the “big Dutch brawl” expected between these three athletes, indicating the high level of competition anticipated.
Breaking News check (2026/01/29 04:20:29): As of this date, Mathieu van der Poel continues to compete in cyclocross and road cycling. He won the 2024 UCI Cyclocross World Championships. No announcements have been made regarding his retirement. UCI Official Website confirms his 2024 win.