Results World Cup Maasmechelen | Mathieu van der Poel survives double puncture scare to claim landmark 50th World Cup win

The men’s World Cup race in Maasmechelen delivered the most dramatic test of the winter, but Mathieu van der Poel emerged with his unbeaten run intact, surviving two punctures, a delayed bike change and multiple late scares to secure his 50th career World Cup victory.

Chaos defined the race from the opening metres. A heavy crash on the asphalt at the start immediately disrupted the field and left Joran Wyseure in visible distress. Wyseure remained on the ground for several minutes before being stretchered from the course and taken away by ambulance, casting a shadow over the early laps.

Once the race settled, Cameron Mason animated the opening phase with a bold solo move. The British champion briefly rode clear, forcing an early response from the favourites, but his challenge was ended abruptly by a puncture that dropped him out of contention.

A high-quality front group soon formed, featuring Van der Poel, Tibor Del Grosso, Thibau Nys, Niels Vandeputte and Kevin Kuhn. The balance shifted repeatedly on the technical course, but Del Grosso briefly imposed control around the halfway point as others hesitated behind.

Van der Poel then looked ready to take command. Just over twenty minutes into the race, he lifted the pace through the most demanding sections, gradually shedding rivals until only Del Grosso could follow. That move appeared decisive until an abrupt puncture at the front forced Van der Poel to stop. A delayed bike change cost the world champion around twenty seconds and suddenly turned the race on its head.

The setback reshaped everything. Del Grosso pressed on at the front while Nys and Vandeputte organised the chase. Once back underway, Van der Poel immediately began clawing back time, first riding in the wheel of Kuhn and then driving the pace himself. His recovery accelerated as Nys twice crashed on the same steep climb, each error surrendering momentum and allowing Van der Poel to rejoin the leaders barely a lap after his bike change.

The pressure continued to mount. Van der Poel briefly slid off line on a climb after being checked by Nys ahead of him, avoiding a fall but underlining how precarious his race had become.

Moments later, he turned defence into attack. As Nys again faltered on the punishing hill, Van der Poel surged clear, opening decisive daylight as the group behind splintered.

Even then, the drama was not finished. A second puncture late in the race suddenly slashed Van der Poel’s advantage, briefly reviving hopes behind. But the response was immediate. He lifted the pace once more, opening the taps and restoring a clear gap as the race entered its final lap.

Behind him, the fight for the remaining podium places exploded into a sprint. Del Grosso timed his effort perfectly to take second ahead of Vandeputte, while Nys was forced to settle for fourth after a race defined by repeated errors at critical moments. Felipe Orts mounted a late challenge of his own but fell just short of the podium.

At the finish, Van der Poel allowed himself a visible moment of relief. After surviving crashes around him, two punctures, a delayed bike change and multiple near misses, he crossed the line to claim his 50th World Cup victory, drawing level with Sven Nys on the all-time wins list. It was the closest he has come all winter to defeat, and one of the hardest fought victories of an unbeaten season that remains intact.