When will Mathieu van der Poel return to cyclocross? “Around Christmas, you will see him” answers Alpecin-Deceuninck boss

Mathieu van der Poel’s long-awaited return to the mud is edging closer, with Alpecin-Deceuninck finally breaking the silence over when fans can expect the world champion back in cyclocross colours.

While a precise race has not yet been confirmed, team manager Christoph Roodhooft has offered the clearest public update so far — and the festive period is now firmly on the radar.

The Dutch superstar has not yet pinned on a number this winter, and there has been growing anticipation over when he could resume, particularly with the 2026 Cyclocross World Championships being held close to home soil in Hulst.

His full winter schedule will only be unveiled at the official Worlds course presentation, but Roodhooft has now lifted the lid on the likely timeframe for his opening appearance. Speaking at the weekend, he said: “Around Christmas, you will see him somewhere.”

Although no exact venue has been finalised by the team, the Christmas-week clue aligns with the most logical calendar slot. The mid-December double header in Kortrijk and Namur represents the earliest viable return, but Belgian media analysis suggests the more realistic opening may fall across one of three high-profile events: Antwerpen on 20 December, Koksijde on 21 December or Hofstade on 22 December.

That trio would align with both sporting benefit and commercial impact — Belgium remains Van der Poel’s biggest live market, the courses suit his power-technical hybrid style, and a Christmas-week comeback guarantees maximum fan and broadcast attention.

Even so, until the Worlds presentation confirms the entire programme, the door remains open to subtle adjustments. Alpecin-Deceuninck traditionally builds Van der Poel’s cyclocross block around his spring road ambitions, and with the usual Spring Classics, his title defence at Paris-Roubaix and another Tour de France on the horizon in 2026, each outing must serve a performance purpose rather than nostalgia. The priority, as ever, is peaking for one specific date: the rainbow jersey defence.

Van der Poel has missed the early season headlines as has his main rival Wout van Aert, leaving the elite field without its biggest rivalry for now. But with Roodhooft confirming the festive launch window, the next update could be the one fans have waited for: the official race number, venue and backdrop to his world champion re-entry.

For now, all signs point to a Christmas present the cyclocross world already has circled in red.