“No one gets close to Mathieu – What he does is inhuman”: Joris Nieuwenhuis admits cyclocross regulars have little chance against all-conquering Van der Poel

Joris Nieuwenhuis has given a stark assessment of the challenge facing the men’s cyclocross field this winter, stating on the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast that only a rare off-day brings Mathieu van der Poel within reach.

“I think Thibau Nys can show something in the races that suit him perfectly or on truly exceptional days,” Nieuwenhuis said. “But to be able to go with Mathieu? Then Mathieu simply has to have a bad day. No one gets close to Mathieu when he’s having a very good day. What he does then is genuinely inhuman.”

Nieuwenhuis’ comments arrive during a winter in which interest around the discipline has intensified, with strong early-season performances from several riders. His focus on Van der Poel’s level places the spotlight back on the reigning world champion’s return to the sport.

Niels Albert has recently described Nys as “the only one who can really hurt” Van der Poel and Wout van Aert when they rejoin the field. Nieuwenhuis approached the broader discussion by keeping attention fixed on the standard required to challenge Van der Poel.

Away from the competitive question, Nieuwenhuis also addressed the presence of the discipline’s biggest names.

“I hope Mathieu and Wout keep racing cyclocross for as long as possible,” he said. “They just give the discipline extra shine. It would be a shame if they disappear.”

With anticipation building around the first races of the season for the likes of Van der Poel and Van Aert, Nieuwenhuis’ contribution centres the conversation on the scale of the task facing anyone lining up next to the world champion.

His remarks underline the standards set by Van der Poel and the context in which the rest of the field prepares for the peak block of racing ahead.