The cyclocross world will have its eyes fixed on Liévin, France, from 31 January to 2 February, as the sport’s two biggest stars, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert, go head-to-head at the Cyclocross World Championships. Van der Poel enters the event as the heavy favourite, aiming to equal the record of seven cyclocross world titles. Meanwhile, Van Aert, a three-time world champion, has announced at short notice that he will in fact be racing for rainbow this weekend.
The Belgian will be hoping to stage a monumental upset and reclaim the rainbow jersey for the first time since 2018. But can he win his fourth title and stop his arch rival making history?
Van der Poel’s cyclocross record speaks for itself. The Dutchman has already claimed six world titles and is one step away from matching the all-time record of seven. This season, he has been nothing short of unstoppable, winning all seven of the races he has competed in, including dominant performances at World Cups in Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide. “I hope to ride my best cross of the season next week,” van der Poel said ahead of the championships, exuding confidence and class after a perfect season so far.
Despite his dominance, van der Poel has had to contend with some physical setbacks. Over the weekend, he revealed he was racing with a broken rib, a factor that could have slowed him down. “It is still not going so well,” he admitted at the time. However, his results suggest otherwise, with his performances remaining as commanding as ever. At the World Cup in Maasmechelen, he dismantled Van Aert in a head-to-head battle, showing he is still in a league of his own. His ability to maintain top form despite injuries has been a hallmark of his career, and he was lapping riders as early as the fourth lap this weekend which shows you just how far ahead he is of the competition.
Van der Poel’s incredible consistency is highlighted by his record over the past three seasons. In that time, he has only failed to win three cyclocross races, and all three defeats came at the hands of Van Aert. This statistic emphasises just how dominant Van der Poel has been, while also illustrating that if anyone is going to beat him, it is going to be Van Aert.
Van Aert, by contrast, enters the championships in a far less dominant position. Now 30 years old, the Belgian endured a challenging 2024, plagued by crashes and disappointments across both the spring and at the end of the summer at the Vuelta. His last cross world title came all the way back in 2018, and while he has consistently been a contender, he has had to settle for second place in 2019, 2021, and 2023. Can he finally break that streak and claim his fourth rainbow jersey?
Van Aert’s inclusion in this year’s world championships was something of a last-minute decision. Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq revealed that Van Aert only confirmed his participation the night before the roster was finalised. “He called me last night to ask if he could start,” said Vanthourenhout, adding that Van Aert’s decision to race shows his hunger and determination to get back on top. Of course, Belgium has plenty of cyclocross talent, and although Thibau Nys did defeat Van Aert earlier this month, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider is still top dog in Belgium.
While Van der Poel’s recent record has been near-flawless, it is worth noting that the three times he has been beaten in the last three seasons were all by Van Aert. These rare defeats underline Van Aert’s unique ability to challenge his rival in ways few others can. Van Aert’s handling of the cross bike has not be at his best so far this year, but if anyone can turn things around quickly it is surely Van Aert. And make no doubt about it, if van der Poel falters who disaster strikers for the Dutchmen, Van Aert will be ready.
The rivalry between Van der Poel and Van Aert is one of the most storied in cycling history, with their battles transcending cyclocross and spilling into the road racing calendar. However, in cyclocross, Van der Poel has held the upper hand in recent years. At the 2023 World Championships in Hoogerheide, Van der Poel narrowly edged out Van Aert in a thrilling sprint finish, the most recent of their cross world title battles. This season, the Dutchman’s dominance has been even more pronounced, with his commanding victory over Van Aert at the Maasmechelen World Cup serving as a clear indicator of his current form.
Van Aert’s last victory over Van der Poel in a cyclocross race came during the 2023/24season in Benidorm, where the Belgian took advantage of Van der Poel’s mechanical issues to win. To beat Van der Poel this weekend, Van Aert will need to replicate that kind of performance and some more, if he’s going to have any chance of pulling on the rainbow jersey.
Van Aert faces several challenges heading into the championships. His last-minute decision to compete raises questions about his preparation compared to van der Poel, who has meticulously planned his winter around this event, despite the injury setback that has shortened his calendar. Additionally, Van Aert’s recent struggles with consistency, coupled with the memory of a difficult 2024 season, may weigh on him mentally.
However, Van Aert is no stranger to adversity. His ability to bounce back from setbacks has defined his career, and his decision to race in Liévin shows he is ready to fight. “I’ll give it my best,” Van Aert said, acknowledging the challenge ahead but not shying away from it.
One factor that could play into Van Aert’s hands is, of course, the unpredictable nature of cyclocross. Weather conditions, course design, and sheer luck can all have a significant impact, and Van Aert’s experience and adaptability make him well-equipped to capitalise on any opportunities that arise. If anything unforeseen does happen in the race, Van Aert is undoubtedly still the best bet to take on the champion.
For Van der Poel, this weekend’s race represents an opportunity to cement his legacy. A seventh world title would place him alongside the legend that is Erik De Vlaeminck in the history books. However, the weight of expectations can be a double-edged sword, and could the Dutchman feel the extra pressure this weekend? While Van der Poel has thrived under pressure throughout his career, the stakes in Liévin are exceptionally high, and anything can happen on a cross bike.
The Dutchman’s near-perfect season suggests he is peaking at the right time, but the spectre of his rare defeats to Van Aert in recent seasons looms large. If anyone can derail Van der Poel’s quest for history, it is his great rival. And, surely the winning has to stop at some point? Don’t count on it, but don’t hang the gold medal around his neck just yet either.
This weekend’s Cyclocross World Championships is not just a race but a showdown between two true legends of the sport. Mathieu van der Poel, with his sights set on history, has all the momentum, but Wout van Aert is back again for yet another showdown with his nemesis. The clash in Liévin promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the outcome likely to be decided by the finest of margins.
Whether Van der Poel matches the all-time record or Van Aert reclaims the rainbow jersey after seven long years, one thing is for sure: cyclocross fans are in for an unforgettable weekend.
We're thrilled to announce that @woutvanaert will compete in the cyclo-cross World Championships this Sunday! 🌈
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) January 26, 2025
Wout: "I am excited to start in such a beautiful race, and I think that this extra boost is doing me good in the lead-up to bigger goals on the road."
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