"It's the same program as in previous years" - Adrie van der Poel on Mathieu's working formula

'If it ain't broke don't fix it' is an expression that can be used in lots of different contexts and in this case, it perfectly applies to Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutchman will be returning to cyclocross on the 14th of December if everything goes as planned and will follow a rather traditional and familiar schedule up to the World Championships which will take place in Hulst on the 1st of February.

"He's back to running and cycling, and in two weeks, he can add intensive cyclocross training. Building a good foundation over the winter is important for next spring," Adrie van der Poel senior said in words to VRT. After finishing his racing season at the Renewi Tour in late August, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has had a lot of time off the bike and to enjoy his off-season, readjusting after another very long period of racing from December all the way to August - including another cyclocross world title, Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, stage win and yellow jersey stint at the Tour de France.

He's recently gotten back to serious training for the 2026 season and will soon begin to get back on the cyclocross bike and do specific training for the discipline where he's succeeded the most. This winter he has the chance of winning the rainbow jersey for an eighth time, which would make him the unique record holder. His schedule was revealed yesterday, starting off in Namur on the 14th of December; following almost the entire Christmas block; and then featuring the final three World Cup rounds before the World Championships weekend.

"If everything goes well, you can finish it off straight away. If things improve, no more races will be added," Adrie explains. "But if things don't go as expected, races will be dropped. Broadly speaking, it's the same program as in previous years."