ANALYSIS: What were the three cyclocross races Mathieu van der Poel failed to win over the last two years?
Cyclocross
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.
1. World Cup Benidorm 2024
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.
Read also
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.
2. World Cup Zonhoven 2023
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.
3. X2O Trofee Koksijde 2023
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.
The path to history in 2025
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.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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