Not Mathieu van der Poel or Wout van Aert, will cyclocross see a different winner this year?
Cyclocross
The anticipation surrounding the cyclocross season has been
mounting for some time now. Mathieu van der Poel, a six-time cyclocross world
champion, dominated last year, winning thirteen out of the fourteen races he
competed in. Even in the races where the Dutchman was absent, the usual
contenders were often seen battling for victory. Much like Tadej Pogacar’s
dominance on the road in 2024, both van der Poel and Wout van Aert have been
miles ahead of their competition in cyclocross for a while.
However, it now appears that a new generation of riders is
emerging, ready to compete for top honours.
On Sunday, 23-year-old Joran Wyseure claimed his first-ever
professional victory at the Superprestige Ruddervoorde, defeating seasoned
rider Michael Vanthourenhout, who finished third. Despite the loss,
Vanthourenhout remained optimistic.
“It’s really cool that other guys are joining us. It makes
the cross exciting and beautiful,” said the 30-year-old to Het Nieuwsblad.
Behind Wyseure, Niels Vandeputte secured second place. “We already knew about
Niels. He's been riding super strong all season long. Joran is a man to keep an
eye on in the coming weeks.”
Wyseure also acknowledged the progress made by other riders
in the field. “A lot of guys have been able to take a big step this year. We
are going to have a nice, exciting winter,” predicted the young Belgian.
Vandeputte, another name to watch, is also targeting victories, though he
admits he’s not yet at his peak form.
“I can't complain, because I am actually really working
towards the beginning of November. Last weekend I was already surprised with
that third place in Beringen and now I come second twice. I wouldn’t have dared
to predict that,” explained the 24-year-old Belgian.
The question arises, when will someone finally break van der
Poel and van Aert’s stronghold on the cross season?
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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