“Cyclocross is fun when you can do your own thing” – Van der Poel reflects on perfect day as wins keep stacking up

Mathieu van der Poel continues to rack up victories almost effortlessly, but it is the feeling on the bike that seems to matter most to the world champion right now.

Speaking after his latest win, Van der Poel made it clear that the day was less about the number beside his name and more about how everything came together on the course.

“I found my own rhythm and I felt really good today,” he said in conversation with Sporza.

That sense of control proved decisive once the race began to fragment, particularly on a course where mistakes are punished immediately. “In the sand it’s very difficult to stay together,” Van der Poel explained. “If someone makes a small mistake, it’s easy to create a gap.”

For Van der Poel, the ability to ride at his own pace remains central to his enjoyment of cyclocross, especially on quicker circuits.

“On a fast lap it’s good to ride in your own rhythm,” he said. “That rhythm I found, and I felt really good today.”

The satisfaction extended beyond just speed. From his perspective, both physical condition and technical execution aligned perfectly.

“I’m satisfied. Both the legs and the technique were perfect,” he said. “Cyclocross is fun when you can do your own thing.”

Despite the growing list of wins, some races still carry a personal edge. This one, Van der Poel admitted, stood out for reasons rooted well beyond the present season.

“This is one of the few races I remember watching as a child when I followed the pros,” he said. “It’s nice to be back here for a cyclocross.”

Not everything passed without incident. Van der Poel also addressed a brief moment involving a spectator during the race.

“I don’t know if it was on purpose, but I did see it,” he said, after smoke from a vape was blown in his direction.

Van der Poel will skip the next race day, opting instead for a quieter approach during an already busy period.

“In the afternoon I might watch some cyclocross,” he said. “It’s a busy period anyway, so I think everyone makes their own choices.”

Further down the line, another familiar rivalry is already on his radar.

“If I’m not mistaken, it’s Loenhout next Monday against Wout,” Van der Poel said. “That will be a fast race, and who knows, maybe it will be tense until the end.”