"I'm still a little blown away by how popular Wout is in Belgium compared to Mathieu" - Is Wout van Aert more popular than Mathieu van der Poel?
Cyclocross
The rivalry between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel
has defined cyclocross and extended far beyond the boundaries of the sport. Two
of the greatest talents of their generation, their showdowns always attract
immense attention and draw huge crowds. However, when it comes to popularity,
is Wout van Aert truly more beloved than Mathieu van der Poel?
Johan Bruyneel, a former professional cyclist who won stages
in the Tour de France during the 1990s, recently shared his thoughts on this
topic after attending the Azencross Loenhout during the Christmas period.
Bruyneel attended the event specifically to witness the
much-anticipated clash between Van der Poel and Van Aert. The race itself was a
spectacle, with Van der Poel ultimately emerging victorious, while Van Aert
could only manage a fourth-place finish. However, the performance on the day
seemed almost secondary to the atmosphere surrounding the two stars.
"I went to watch the cross in Loenhout," Bruyneel
begins on the podcast The Move. "The cross where Wout and Mathieu
raced against each other. I have to say it was spectacular. The number of
spectators, the enthusiasm of the public. It was crazy to see. When Wout and
Mathieu are both there it is really madness."
Despite Van der Poel’s victory, Bruyneel was struck by Van
Aert’s overwhelming popularity in Belgium, even in comparison to his Dutch
rival.
"I'm still a little blown away by how popular Wout is
in Belgium compared to Mathieu. Mathieu is Dutch, but he's also an adopted
Belgian. He grew up in Belgium, he lives there, he speaks more Flemish than
Dutch. He's a cross world champion and a superstar, but Wout's popularity is
unbelievable."
Bruyneel shared an anecdote from the race that perfectly
encapsulates the adoration Van Aert receives from his home fans. "Wout won
the battle to the first corner at the start and the people went completely
crazy. It was as if he had already won the race."
Yet when the discussion shifts to performance and legacy,
Mathieu van der Poel’s place in the history of cyclocross is seemingly
untouchable, at least in Bruyneel’s view.
When asked if Van der Poel is the best cyclocross rider
ever, Bruyneel did not hesitate. "Yes, he certainly is," he declared.
"Erik De Vlaeminck has seven world titles and was very talented, but he
did that in the seventies. Van der Poel returns and makes all the specialists
look ridiculous. They are really blown away by him."
Bruyneel also highlighted the unique qualities that make Van
der Poel such a standout rider. "It's impressive to watch him. The way he
sits on the bike, the way he pedals. You can see the power in him, and there's
so much power behind it."
"With every pedal stroke, his bike moves forward in a
way that I don't see anyone else do. He has a special way of riding. That
attack in Paris-Roubaix 2024 is also what you see in cyclo-cross. There is no
doubt in my mind that he is the best ever. No discussion possible."
🇧🇪 #Superprestige
— Team Visma | Lease a Bike (@vismaleaseabike) January 4, 2025
🤪 pic.twitter.com/poOi4rdKnz
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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