“It’s more fun than endless endurance rides” – Analysts explains Van der Poel and Van Aert’s cyclocross loyalty
Cyclocross
Cyclocross season is stirring again, even as its biggest
stars are still on holiday. Mathieu van der Poel remains in the United States,
soaking in a rare off-season pause, while Wout van Aert is also taking time
away from the bike. Yet in Belgium, anticipation is already mounting. As the
leaves fall, so does the sense that the sport’s defining rivalry is about to
reignite.
Paul Herygers told Sporza Daily that he already has a hunch
about Van Aert’s comeback. “I wouldn't be surprised if he returns to the pitch
in Merksplas on November 15th,” he said. “It's a gut feeling, but I know his
manager saved that cross. Jef Van den Bosch and Wout van Aert are two peas in a
pod.”
Fellow analyst Ruben Van Gucht expanded on that hint. “He
said he used to end his road season to get back into cyclocross sooner. He
wants to race more cyclocross again, and that sounds like music to his ears,”
Van Gucht noted. “Outsiders wonder why they’d still be competing, but the
alternative is training for six hours somewhere in Spain. It’s more fun than
endless endurance rides.”
The dynamic between the two icons is set for another
chapter. Van Gucht believes this winter might be different: “The previous
times, Van Aert was all about taking what he could, but now he’s suggesting
it’s a bigger goal. We know Van der Poel just has to get on his bike to be
ready to win a cyclocross race.”
For Van der Poel, there’s more than nostalgia at stake. By
winning his seventh world title last season, he equalled Erik De Vlaeminck’s
all-time record. One more rainbow jersey this winter would make him the sole
holder of the most elite cyclocross world titles in history, an eighth crown
that would cement his status as the sport’s ultimate master.
Herygers sees in both riders the same instinct that made
them grand-tour podium contenders. “They’re reaping the benefits of
cyclocross,” he said. “I can still see Van Aert racing against Pogacar in Paris
— rainy, icy — and without cyclocross, that might have been fatal. Those guys
can drive, and that’s something they built up in the mud.”
Read also
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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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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