"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?

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."