Still no Mathieu van der Poel as Dutch team confirm their team for first World Cup race

The cyclocross season is picking up the pace this weekend with the first World Cup race on Sunday in Antwerp. Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt has announced the team, and six time world champion Matheiu van der Poel is not on the list.

A lot has been made of Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock’s absence so far this cross season, but none of the three have confirmed when or they will take on the rest of the field. Puck Pieterse is also missing from the Dutch team, as he recovers from a busy 2024.

But there are still some riders that De Knegt can count on as cyclocross draws closer to its busiest period. “It is positive that Joris Nieuwenhuis can ride again', said De Knegt.

“He is back on track and has been able to complete some good training sessions. We cannot expect top form yet, but we expect him to reach his old level again in the coming weeks.”

As the cross season comes alive, it appears we will still have to wait a little longer until the world champion Matheiu van der Poel picks up his cross bike.