Yesterday, Mathieu van der Poel delivered yet another breathtaking one-man show, securing his seventh cyclocross world championship title. But was it really as easy for the Dutchman as it appeared to us cycling fans? Not at all. In the third lap, Van der Poel suffered a flat tire, a moment that could have added suspense to the race. However, in the end, it didn’t change the outcome, and he equaled the legendary Eric de Vlaeminck’s record.
Blazing Start – A Signature Move?
Launching into full speed right from the start seems to be Van der Poel’s signature move. However, according to his father, Adrie van der Poel, this is not necessarily his son’s primary goal. “Apparently, it was the right tactic. At one point, he created a gap, and from then on, it was all about control—staying focused, because on this course, mistakes were costly,” Adrie told Het Laatste Nieuws.
A Flat Tire Doesn’t Stop Van der Poel
One of Van der Poel’s key strategies is taking an early lead to mitigate risks in case of mechanical issues. Sunday’s race proved why. In the third lap, he punctured his tire and had to ride a considerable distance to the pit area. According to team manager Christoph Roodhooft, this mishap cost him quite some time. “Mathieu lost about fifteen to twenty seconds, and that still had an impact on the following half lap.”
After switching bikes, Van der Poel had to be cautious, but it didn’t show—his rivals couldn’t close the gap. He spent the entire hour leaving his competitors in the dust, much to Roodhooft’s delight. “For us, it’s different from the neutral spectator who hopes for a thrilling battle. We completely understand that. But I think everyone could appreciate Mathieu’s dominance, technique, and control.”
Full Speed Ahead to Victory in Liévin and Future Goals
With seven world titles and an astonishing 289 cyclocross victories to his name, Van der Poel’s achievements are anything but ordinary. Yet, his father Adrie warns against taking his success for granted. “We really shouldn’t see this as normal. You know us—we’re calm, not too exuberant. But of course, ‘Matje’ makes us incredibly proud. Not just because of this, but because he always peaks perfectly on the day of the World Championship. That’s something I deeply admire.”
Now, with seven titles secured, the magic number ten is coming into sight. Next year’s championship in Hulst offers a course well-suited to Van der Poel’s strengths. “There will certainly be more opportunities, but also for the competition. The seventh title wasn’t guaranteed, and the eighth won’t be either. Not taking success for granted is one of the key ingredients in making it possible,” Roodhooft concluded.
