ANALYSIS: What were the three cyclocross races Mathieu van der Poel failed to win over the last two years?

Mathieu van der Poel has been nothing short of unstoppable in cyclocross over the last two years. His astonishing blend of raw power, technical ability, and tactical intelligence has often placed him on a level far above his competitors. Yet, even the most unstoppable athletes can face setbacks, and for Van der Poel, these have been few and far between.

As 2024 ends with Van der Poel claiming five wins from five races to start his winter season, including a sensational performance at the World Cup Besançon yesterday, the Dutchman’s record over the past two years stands out for its unparalleled consistency. However, there have been three occasions in 2023 and 2024 where Van der Poel was defeated, twice in 2023 and just once this year, all courtesy of his arch-rival, Wout van Aert.

Can you remember which races they were? Let’s take a look at the rare days over 2023 and 2024 where Van der Poel has had to settle for anything other than first.

In January 2024, Van der Poel’s unbeaten streak came to an end at the World Cup Benidorm. It was an epic encounter where Van der Poel and Van Aert delivered a thrilling rollercoaster battle in front of a raucous crowd. After multiple lead changes and some breathtaking moments, it was Van Aert who ultimately edged out Van der Poel to secure victory.

The significance of this loss wasn’t in Van der Poel’s performance, it was outstanding amid some technical difficulties, but in how Van Aert capitalised on the fast, technical course to claim victory. It highlighted that even Van der Poel’s seemingly flawless cyclocross game can be cracked under the right conditions (and with some luck) by a perfectly executed race.

Still, this was the only cross race the mighty Dutchman lost in 2024, and shows how even his arch rival Van Aert needs to have the perfect day to beat him.

One of the two of Van der Poel’s defeats in 2023 came in a far less dramatic fashion at Zonhoven. Known for its brutal sand dunes, the course played directly to Van Aert’s strengths. From the outset, Van Aert looked untouchable, powering through the sand with unmatched finesse and building a lead that stretched to over a minute by the end of the race.

For Van der Poel, it was a rare off-day. Whilst it is true that Van der Poel crashed that day due to a mechanical issue, Van Aert still looked the stronger man that day and the result was clear: Wout van Aert destroyed the competition, leaving even the mighty Van der Poel unable to respond.

The only other blemish on Van der Poel’s record in the past two years came at the X2O Trofee Koksijde in 2023. Once again, it was Van Aert who denied Van der Poel, delivering a masterclass on the sandy terrain. Much like in Zonhoven, Van Aert’s superior handling and power in the sand that day allowed him to build a decisive gap, ultimately finishing more than a minute ahead of his long-time rival.

While Van der Poel rarely suffers such significant defeats, Koksijde and Zonhoven exposed a recurring challenge for him: the sand. These races served as a reminder that even a rider as versatile as Van der Poel has terrains where others may hold an edge.

Despite these rare losses, Van der Poel’s achievements over the past two seasons have been extraordinary. He claimed back-to-back cyclocross World Championship titles in 2023 and 2024, taking his career total to six rainbow jerseys in the discipline. His ability to peak for the biggest events while maintaining dominance throughout the season has made him one of the greatest cyclocross riders of all time.

In 2024 alone, Van der Poel’s victories included a commanding performance at the World Championship in the Czech Republic where he triumphed in front of an adoring crowd. Each win reinforced the notion that Van der Poel is not only the fastest man on two wheels in cyclocross but also the most the very best of all time, across varied terrains and conditions.

As Van der Poel looks ahead to early 2025, he stands on the brink of history. With six cyclocross World Championship titles already to his name, he has the chance to match the all-time record of seven titles set by the legendary Erik De Vlaeminck. Achieving this would further cement Van der Poel’s status as one of the sport’s greatest icons.

The key to making history lies in Van der Poel’s ability to just keep what he’s doing. While his performances have been near-perfect, the few defeats he has suffered reveal areas for improvement, particularly on sand-heavy courses like Zonhoven and Koksijde. If he can address these weaknesses and continue to deliver his trademark dominance on the global stage, there’s every reason to believe he can equal, if not surpass, De Vlaeminck’s record.

Judging by his face raves so far this season, it will take a freak performance from another rider, or a serious case of bad luck for Van der Poel, if he is to be beaten to his seventh cyclocross rainbow jersey. Remember, Van der Poel has been the road race champion in 2023, and the gravel champion in 2024, which shows just how skilful he is with two wheels.

Of course, any discussion of Van der Poel’s success would be incomplete without acknowledging the role of his rivalry with Wout van Aert. The two have pushed each other to extraordinary heights, with their battles often defining the sport’s biggest moments.

As Van der Poel eyes his seventh title, Van Aert will not be present at the World Championships in February. This is a shame, especially considering he is really the only rider with any chance of stopping that Van der Poel train on its way to a seventh cyclocross rainbow jersey.

Over the past two years, Mathieu van der Poel has firmly established himself as the benchmark in cyclocross. His dominance is underscored by the fact that he has only been beaten three times since 2023, all by his fiercest rival, Wout van Aert.

As he prepares for the 2025 World Championships, Van der Poel stands on the precipice of history. Matching Erik De Vlaeminck’s record of seven titles would be a testament to his enduring brilliance and his ability to evolve as a rider, and find speed on the most challenging courses where others simply can’t. If his recent form is any indication, Van der Poel’s pursuit of greatness is far from over.