As Mathieu van der Poel’s return to cyclocross approaches, the current world champion talked about his preparation and the level he expects to be at when he makes his debut in the current cyclocross season in Mol on December 22.
Training on the beach in Spain
“Last week I returned to Belgium for a few days and did some cyclocross training,” van der Poel said in a conversation with the Belgian channel Sporza. “Today, I trained on the beach for the second time here in Spain. My form on the road is good, but that’s not always indicative for cyclocross. The basics are in order.”
Unlike his rivals Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock, the centerpiece of van der Poel’s cyclocross calendar will be the 2024 World Championship in Tabor.
“I certainly have to be in my best form at the World Championship, whether Wout and Tom participate or not. I have to be 100%,” says the Dutchman, doubting that his former rivals will take part. “Usually, you stick to your schedule. I suspect they won’t participate in the World Championship, but that doesn’t change my preparation.”
Record remains an objective
With his current Cyclocross World Championship performance at five victories (2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023), van der Poel is only two wins behind the historical record holder, Eric De Vlaeminck.
“It’s one of the reasons why I keep racing,” admits van der Poel. “Apart from that, I don’t have many goals in cyclocross. This record is a significant challenge, but it’s also simply being the World Champion.”
