"If I want to beat Tadej Pogacar in the classics, I'll have to do something different" - Mathieu van der Poel has hinted to his father what should come next

Mathieu van der Poel has now won eighth men's elite cyclocross world titles, more than any other rider in history. He's achieved history in Hulst and soon he may leave cyclocross behind - or significantly reduce his schedule - in order to pursue improvements in the classics and be a stronger challenger to Tadej Pogacar.

After the victory in Hulst, Adrie van der Poel shared a few words after witnessing his son win the world championships for a fourth consecutive time. This time in Hulst, a technical course in which no-one was truly able to challenge the Alpecin - Premier Tech rider.

"You can't just take what the current generation is doing for granted. For me, it remains very special. He's worked incredibly hard to get here, too. It's impressive that he's always been able to do it," Adrie said in words to Wielerflits.

It was another flawless season, the second without a single loss throughout the entire winter, beginning in mid-December and ending with the victory at the worlds. On the way, he has also won the World Cup despite missing several events; and has also beaten Sven Nys' World Cup race victory record.

There truly is nothing left to achieve in the discipline, beyond extending his current records. "The victories of the past few years have brought a sense of calm to me; he doesn't panic as easily, doesn't get nervous as quickly. That's one of the biggest advantages".

Much has been said about his potential skipping of a cyclocross winter next season, now a real possibility since he has acomplished the victory in Hulst which would allow him to do so. Adrie shares interesting insight:

"He said 'if I want to beat Tadej Pogacar in the classics, I'll have to do something different'. If you don't do that, the competition won't stand still either. That's the case both on the road and in cyclocross".

The Dutchman also says that van der Poel was not always at his best this winter. "He himself would say he hasn't had a perfect winter. It went as planned, he won everywhere and was very good here. But I heard him complain occasionally that it wasn't as easy as last year. If you ask not to be at your best from the start, you have to accept that you're improving every week."

However there were little doubts that he would win the worlds, baring disaster, after seeing the form he had in the world cup's final weekend, which anteceded the world championships only by seven days.

"Especially after his second training camp in Benidorm, things were very good. The World Cup in Maasmechelen wasn't as good, but that was also due to two flat tires that threw him off his rhythm. He himself said that last Sunday's cyclocross in Hoogerheide was his best race, and I think everyone saw that." In Hulst, he perhaps did not have his best legs, but it was not necessary.

Now he will go on a small ski trip, and return to Spain to prepare for the spring, where Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix should once again be on his schedule.

"Winning again will depend on his performance. His drive to be at his best every time, getting through the winter without worries, and his preparation for the classics. Then you hope he's taken a step forward and is also at his best in those races. His hunger hasn't been satisfied yet," he concluded.