"Even with Van Aert, Nys and Del Grosso, he will be one step above" Bart Wellens predicts new Mathieu van der Poel dominance in Cyclocross if he returns next winter

The cyclocross season is approaching its end, and Bart Wellens has taken the opportunity to assess the competitive winter. The former Belgian professional rider, now 47, analysed what unfolded in the discipline and made one thing clear: Mathieu van der Poel once again imposed his authority and, if he decides to return next winter, he is expected to dominate the sport once more.

“If Van der Poel still races next year, he will still stand out. Nys and Del Grosso may be at Van Aert’s level, but Van der Poel will still be a step above,” he told Nieuwsblad.

In recent years, and this season was no exception, there has been a clear before and after Mathieu van der Poel enters the scene. “It was a season in three parts, first without Van der Poel, then his domination, and the final part without him again."

"And that period with Van der Poel wasn’t the most exciting. Nys tried to follow at times and, without Van Aert’s crash, we would also have seen an exciting duel in Mol, but otherwise Van der Poel was clearly the best. You can also hear it from the crowd ‘when Van der Poel rides, there’s no tension.’”

The Dutchman now holds eight Cyclocross world titles, setting an extremely high benchmark for the coming years. Still, Wellens does not see this as a problem for the sport. “I understand that people say that, but that’s what makes him so special.”

This season, the overall trophies were virtually decided before the World Championships in Hulst, which removed some of the excitement from the final phase of the season. For many, that reduced the competitive interest, as the focus shifted to winning individual races rather than fighting for the titles. Wellens, however, does not fully agree with that view.

“Here and there you hear that cyclocross declines after the World Championships because men like Van der Poel, Van Aert and Nys are no longer there. I don’t agree with that. It’s especially unfortunate that the standings were decided before the World Championships, so we didn’t get a race within the race and it was only about the stage win.”

While acknowledging that the absence of the biggest stars reduces competitive sparkle, the Belgian calls for respect for the specialists who remain in action. “After the World Championships you miss the guys who add a bit more salt and pepper to the cross, but we cannot downgrade those who are still there."

"I also think that men like Niels Vandeputte or Michael Vanthourenhout are standout riders. If Niels finishes first or second in Oostmalle, he will end the year as number one in the UCI ranking. Chapeau for that”, say it assertively.

Wellens also addressed the difference between pure discipline specialists, who live and compete exclusively in cyclocross, and riders who combine the sport with road racing, such as Van der Poel and other names coming from the road peloton.

“What is the big difference with the ‘road rider who crosses’? For the 'pur sang' crosser it is now much easier mentally.”

“Their biggest concern is staying healthy and training well, but they don’t have to show up in road races, because those are mainly preparation for the road season. If those Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw riders are dropped in their first road race, it’s not such a big deal. If Van der Poel or Del Grosso have that in mind, it’s panic,” he concluded.