Bike racing has witnessed a surge of talent claiming the sport’s peak moments. Some riders seal their legacy by capturing back-to-back Tours; others prove they excel across every terrain, from cyclocross and mountain biking to road racing and gravel events. Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel, who has strong French roots and earned the cyclocross world championship this Sunday at 29, is a recurring name in these conversations.
In truth, the victory did not feel like a fluke. Van der Poel stands among cycling’s elite alongside riders such as Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic, Remco Evenepoel, and Wout van Aert. A defeat for him would be costly, underscoring his status as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors. Van Aert, his longtime rival, could not participate in the race after dedicating the week to road-season preparation in Mallorca.
Following the decision to race, Van der Poel claimed the win at the Tabor circuit in the Czech Republic, capturing the rainbow jersey for the first time since 2015, a year when he also won the road race. He remains a true phenomenon—an all-around force admired for his tenacity, versatility, and relentless drive on every surface.
Sixth World Championship
No one challenged him as the gold medal remained secure throughout the event. There were no crashes or dramatic slips comparable to his cyclocross experiences, such as the 14 races with 13 victories that culminated in a single defeat in Benidorm earlier in the season, when Van Aert took the win.
With this triumph, van der Poel added a remarkable sixth world title to his résumé, matching a mark once approached by legendary figures in the sport. The legacy of cyclocross champions from the past—figures who shaped the discipline in the 1960s and 70s—continues to echo as the sport evolves. Among them, Eric van Vlaeminck stands out as a historic star, while Roger van Vlaeminck is remembered for world championships and a string of major classic victories across road racing.
Van der Poel’s ambitions extend beyond world titles. He has already claimed monuments, winning in Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. He still chase victories in Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Giro di Lombardia, believing endurance and strategy will open those doors in future campaigns. This year, his focus shifted toward Northern European cobblestones, Olympic aspirations in mountain biking, and the sport’s grand tours, including the Vuelta a España, and the World Championships.
The narrative also touches on cyclocross’s broader family heritage. The discipline has a deep Dutch-Belgian influence, and in this edition, the Netherlands celebrated another strong performance. While Felipe Orts of Alicante closed the season in the top 10, the Dutch anthem resonated in the women’s competition as well, with Fem van Empel delivering a memorable result. This mix of cross-country strength and classic endurance racing underscores how the sport continues to inspire riders and fans across North America and beyond. The ongoing dialogue about cycling greatness remains anchored in a blend of record-setting performances, tactical acumen, and the relentless pursuit of new milestones. [Citation: Cycling Archives]