ANALYSIS | Cyclocross, gravel and the road: Which of Mathieu van der Poel’s nine world titles was the best?

Over the weekend, Mathieu van der Poel once again etched his name into the history books. The Dutch superstar secured his record-equalling seventh cyclocross world title, overpowering his long-time rival Wout van Aert by an emphatic 45 seconds. Van der Poel’s 2024 cyclocross season was nothing short of perfection; he went unbeaten all winter, a feat that only further cements his place among the greatest of all time.

However, we all know that his dominance stretches far beyond the mud and barriers of cyclocross. While seven rainbow jerseys in one discipline is an extraordinary achievement, Van der Poel’s range of skills on all terrains sets him apart. He has also conquered the world on the road and in gravel racing, making him one of the most complete riders cycling has ever seen. With triumphs in multiple disciplines, the Dutchman has built a legacy that transcends any one terrain. And of course, he’s got a lot more than just rainbow jerseys to his name, as the king of the monuments and a grand tour stage winner.

Let’s take a look at some of his greatest World Championship victories so far, and see when his next opportunity to make history could be.

Van der Poel’s ability to seize the moment was on full display at the 2023 UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow. The race was filled with chaos, from climate protests disrupting proceedings to a brutal course that demanded the perfect balance of explosive power and unrelenting endurance. But through it all, Van der Poel emerged as the strongest rider.

With 22 kilometres to go, he launched a devastating solo attack, distancing himself from the elite group that included Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and Mads Pedersen. He built a commanding lead, but in dramatic fashion, disaster almost struck when he crashed on a tight corner. Yet even with a torn jersey and damaged bike, he remounted and powered on, crossing the finish line to become world champion on the road for the first time. On the road, this was the best version of Van der Poel we have seen. No crash, no rival, no chaos was going to stop him from achieving his first road race rainbow jersey in Glasgow on that day in August 2023.

Not content with titles in cyclocross and road racing, Van der Poel turned his attention to gravel racing in 2024. He delivered a commanding performance at the UCI Gravel World Championships in Leuven, adding a world title in a third discipline to his already incredible CV.

What makes it even more special is that just a week before, the Dutchman had lost his road race rainbow jersey to Tadej Pogacar on a course that suited the Slovenian far better. But it would not be long before we saw Van der Poel pull on a rainbow jersey once again.

From the early stages of the race, Van der Poel set a relentless pace, forcing his rivals into the red, and his repeated accelerations shattered the peloton, leaving only a handful of riders able to respond. With around 30 kilometres remaining, he launched his decisive attack, surging clear of the competition and riding solo to the finish line. He won by a significant margin, proving that his skill extends to yet another discipline. After the race, he admitted that he tried to put everyone “on the limit” early on, ensuring that only the strongest could keep up. The result? Yet another rainbow jersey added to his collection.

Van der Poel and Van Aert have produced some of the most thrilling battles in cyclocross history, and their 2023 showdown in Hoogerheide was one for the ages. Both riders were in fine form heading into the race, setting up a titanic duel for the rainbow jersey.

From the start, it was clear this would be a two-horse race. Lap after lap, the pair traded blows, neither able to break the other, and as the final lap unfolded, Van der Poel led the way but couldn’t shake Van Aert from his wheel. The tension was unbearable as they entered the finishing straight together, separated by a matter of inches. In a dramatic sprint finish, Van der Poel edged out his Belgian rival, securing his fifth cyclocross world title in what many consider one of the greatest duels in the arch rival’s history.

Before becoming a household name across multiple cycling disciplines, Van der Poel was already making waves in cyclocross. His first senior world title came ten years ago in 2015, in Tabor, at the age of just 20. At the time, he was still seen as an up-and-coming talent, but his performance that day proved he was ready to take on the world’s best, and it was a sure sign of the things he would go on to achieve in the decade that followed.

In testing conditions, Van der Poel outclassed his more experienced rivals, riding a near-flawless race. He became the youngest cyclocross world champion in history, setting the stage for the incredible career that would follow ever since. Even then, his ability to deliver on the biggest stage was evident, and that victory was merely a preview of the legendary career he would go on to establish.

With seven cyclocross world titles, a road world championship, and a gravel world title, Van der Poel has built a resume unlike any other rider in modern cycling. His ability to excel across multiple disciplines sets him apart from his contemporaries, and at just 30 years old, there is still plenty more to come.

His reign as the King of cyclocross is perhaps the most impressive. Only Erik De Vlaeminck has won more world titles in the discipline, and Van der Poel has the chance to break that record when the cyclocross season rolls around next year. On the road, he has already won the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Milano-Sanremo, and after his World Championship victory in Glasgow, he will surely target more success in the biggest one-day races.

His CV also raises the question, could he become the greatest all-round rider in history? Few cyclists have won world titles in three different disciplines, and now, only one jersey is missing from his collection: the mountain bike World Championship. While he has flirted with the idea of competing in mountain biking at the highest level, he has yet to add that accolade to his name. Could 2025 be the year he takes on the challenge?

With yet another cyclocross season in the books, Van der Poel’s focus now shifts to the road. His spring campaign will be closely watched, as he looks to add more Monuments to his already impressive palmarès. He will be a key contender in the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and Milano-Sanremo, and with the confidence of another world title, it is not out of the question that he could win all three of those monuments

Beyond that, could a mountain bike World Championship be on the horizon in the latter stages of 2025? Van der Poel has hinted at the possibility, although he remains undecided about whether to prioritise it over the Road World Championships in Rwanda in 2025. If he does choose to pursue it, he would have the opportunity to achieve something truly unprecedented: a world title across four different disciplines.

Regardless of what he targets next, one thing is certain: Mathieu van der Poel is a generational talent, a rider whose name will be remembered for decades to come. His latest victory only further secures his status as one of the greatest cyclists in history, and whether it’s in cyclocross, road, gravel, or perhaps even mountain biking, his hunger for success remains insatiable. Enjoy him whilst you can.