After 7th CX world title, Mathieu van der Poel dreaming of 4th Tour of Flanders win in 2025: "But this year a certain Tadej Pogacar is participating"

Fresh off the back of an incredible 7th Cyclocross World Championship win in Lievin on Sunday, Mathieu van der Poel already has one eye firmly focused on the upcoming Spring Classics and the Dutchman has one race in particular in his sights for 2025: the Tour of Flanders.

"I fell in love with that race when I first participated," says the three-time Tour of Flanders winner in quotes collected by Sporza. The problem is, there's one Rainbow Jersey wearing roadblock poised to potentially ruin Van der Poel's plans though. "This year a certain Tadej Pogacar is participating. I will have to be in top form to be able to follow him," Van der Poel admits.

According to Van der Poel, there's also a growing Classics strength amongst the peloton. "A few teams have become very strong in numbers," he explains. "When Tadej goes, a lot of teams know that it is very difficult to follow him. That will make it fun for the spectators, because that means that the race will be opened up from very far away."

As mentioned though, following his cyclocross coronation in Lievin last weekend, Van der Poel only has one eye on the coming road season. Before that takes up his full focus, there is first time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. "There is a big chance that it will be a skiing holiday," he says of his plans for the next few weeks, noting how he also might not be alone. "I heard that Thibau Nys is also going skiing. Maybe I should join him!"