"If I feel good enough after that preparation..." - Mathieu van der Poel hints at opening 2026 road race

The prophecy has been fulfilled, and history has been written. Mathieu van der Poel captured his eighth Cyclocross World Championship title in Hulst on Sunday, breaking the tie with Erik De Vlaeminck to become the sole record holder in the discipline. To mark the occasion, the Dutchman crossed the line with a celebration instantly recognizable to football fans worldwide: Cristiano Ronaldo's famous "Siuuu."

While his victory was widely predicted, Van der Poel still had to deliver on the muddy course in Hulst. After distancing the field early, he had time to think about how to commemorate the milestone. It was a memorable moment for a memorable career that continues to expand by the year.

Van der Poel also shared a moment with Sven Nys, a legend of the sport who had coached Mathieu when he was a child.

"I think no one expects that when you start crossing," Van der Poel said of the record to Sporza. "When I started crossing as a little boy, Sven came to give me cross training... He was the only one back then who also jumped over beams."

"No one starts crossing with the idea that he is going to become world champion eight times," he added.

With the record secured, the perennial question of his future in cyclocross returned. Will he take a gap year from the discipline to focus entirely on the road? "I honestly haven't decided yet myself," Van der Poel confessed. "I still really like crossing and the training is also very fun. It is just a thought to not do it for a year."

For now, his focus shifts to recovery and the upcoming road season. He plans to try a new sport that Primoz Roglic knows well. "I'm leaving tomorrow to go skiing for a few days. After that I'm going back to Spain to prepare for the road season."

As for his road debut, fans might see him at the Opening Weekend in one month. "Yes, that's right, but I'm only going to decide that the week before. If I feel good enough after that preparation, then I will certainly add it," he confirmed regarding a potential start at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.