Mathieu van der Poel reveals cyclocross schedule as he aims for Worlds record

It is not yet certain when Van der Poel will begin his cyclocross campaign. The World Cup in Namur on December 14 is provisionally included on his schedule, which he revealed on social media, but his eventual participation is still contingent on his race fitness.

Van der Poel has confirmed that he will compete at the World Cup events in Antwerp on December 20 and in Koksijde on December 21, beginning a heavy schedule of racing during the Christmas period.

The X²O Trofee Hofstade Plage Cross on December 22 is followed by the World Cup in Gavere on December 26 and further X²O Trofee events at Loenhout on December 29 and the GP Sven Nys on January 1. Van der Poel will complete his festive racing with the Exact Cross in Mol on January 2 and the Zonhoven World Cup on January 4.

A break for a training camp on the road with his Alpecin-Deceuninck squad follows. Although the Benidorm World Cup on January 14 is pencilled into Van der Poel’s schedule, his participation will depend on how far along his preparations for the road season are by that point.

Van der Poel is set to defend his rainbow jersey at the World Championships in Hulst on February 1, where he will look to surpass Erik De Vlaeminck by claiming an outright record eighth elite cyclocross title.

On the weekend prior to the Worlds, Van der Poel will ride the World Cup events in Maasmechelen (January 24) and Hoogerheide (January 25). 

Van der Poel had eight wins from eight starts on the cyclocross circuit last winter, while he won 13 out of 14 races in 2023-24, when his lone defeat came at the Benidorm World Cup following a training camp on the road.