Mathieu van der Poel's cyclocross dilemma - Impending fatherhood makes season decision difficult as tempting World Championships could entice Dutchman
Cyclocross
Mathieu van der Poel fans could face a winter of no mud as the Dutchman is yet to confirm if he'll line out at all during the Cyclocross season. As he prepares to become a father in the new year, experts have sized up whether there's one glaring opportunity the eight-time world champion could seize.
The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader closed off his road season in September with a World Championships podium. Combined with two Tour de France stage wins, it's safe to say that the 31-year-oold is riding at the peak of his powers.
He and his partner Roxanne Bertels are expecting their first child in January, with his first arrival coming during the height of the cyclocross season van der Poel had become accustomed to racing almost every winter.
Belgian national coach Angelo De Clercq believes that van der Poel opting not to ride the discipline this season in favour of family time is an understandable one.
“For the race itself, it’s more fun and better if Wout and Mathieu are there. But I would also understand if Mathieu said for once: I’m not riding this winter and I’ll be there when our daughter is born. I don’t think anyone would object to that,” De Clercq told Wielerflits.
Mathieu van der Poel
Will Mathieu van der Poel ride Cyclocross this season?
“I think just the World Championships would also be an option. But I know that he himself didn’t like that very much in the past, because he prefers to ride a few more races,” Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt told Wielerflits.
The two then moved on to a potential World Championships one-off appearance for him, noting that he has the ability and pedigree to be able to keep the race despite not racing near as much as the rest of the field.
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De Clerq said: “Mathieu has the skill to be back at the front after just a lap and a half, starting from a row further back. I think he is actually the only one who can do that."
“He has to determine that entirely for himself. I think it is important that, if he feels a spark of desire burning again – ‘I want to race cyclocross’ – he does something with it," de Knegt added.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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