"I will ride ten to fifteen crosses, with the World Championships as the final event" - Mathieu van der Poel outlines Cyclocross winter plans

After ending his road season with a first career victory on Spanish tarmac at the Madrid Criterium, Mathieu van der Poel is already switching his focus to the upcoming crosses of the winter.

“I will start the cross season at the end of December,” the reigning Cyclocross World Champion, van der Poel explains in a post-race interview following his victory ahead of Juan Ayuso at the Madrid Criterium, outlining his winter plans. “It will be a bit similar to last season. I will ride ten to fifteen crosses, with the World Championships as the final event.”

Strangely, this was van der Poel's first-ever time competing in Spain and understandably, after his victory, the Spanish reporters posed the question of when or if the Alpecin-Deceuninck superstar will take on the Vuelta a Espana.

“Next year is a possibility, because of the Olympic Games,” explains the road race world champion. “It's a special season. I'm considering it. We don't know yet what we will do, but the Vuelta is an option for next year.”