Van der Poel wins record eighth cyclo-cross world title

Mathieu van der Poel Wins Record Eighth Cyclo-cross World Championship

Mathieu van der Poel cemented his status as the greatest cyclo-cross rider in history on Sunday, powering to a record eighth elite world title in Hulst, Netherlands. The 31-year-old Dutchman broke away from the field within the first ten minutes and never looked back, finishing 35 seconds ahead of compatriot Tibor Del Grosso, who claimed silver, while Belgium’s Thibau Nys took bronze.cyclingnews

Van der Poel’s victory surpassed the seven world championships won by Belgian legend Eric De Vlaeminck in the 1960s and 70s, a mark many believed would stand forever.rfi

“When I began, my ultimate aspiration was to win the world championships at the elite level one day. And here I am with eight titles. It’s truly remarkable,” Van der Poel said after the race. “The initial title is always the most cherished compared to the rest, but this eighth one serves as a kind of validation. No one would have anticipated that De Vlaeminck’s record would ever be surpassed.”rfi

Dominant from the Start

True to form, Van der Poel surged ahead shortly after the race began and maintained his lead throughout the eight-lap race on the difficult Hulst course. He used the steep banks to power clear of his rivals, extending his advantage to 29 seconds by the third lap.cyclingflash

Behind him, Del Grosso and Nys engaged in a race-long battle for the minor medals. Nys repeatedly struggled on a decisive steep climb, allowing the 22-year-old Del Grosso—competing in his first elite world championship after winning the under-23 title twice—opportunities to stay in contention.cyclingnews

Heavy rain changed conditions late in the race, and Del Grosso capitalized on the final lap, riding cleanly through the technical sections to secure silver. Nys finished 46 seconds behind Van der Poel.cxmagazine

A Perfect Season and Uncertain Future

The victory capped a flawless season for Van der Poel, who remains unbeaten in cyclo-cross since January 2024. He won all eight World Cup races he entered this season, clinching his second overall World Cup title.flobikes

The win also gave the Netherlands a record fifth gold medal at the championships, following victories in the mixed relay, elite women’s race, under-23 women’s race, and junior men’s race.cyclingnews

Van der Poel has hinted this could be his final cyclo-cross race, having previously stated he wanted to retire from the discipline on home soil with the record. “I have always said it would be very nice to stop in my own country with the record. For the rest, there would not be much more left for me to achieve in cyclocross,” he said before the championships.domestiquecycling

The Dutch star, who also holds world titles in road cycling, mountain biking, and gravel, now turns his attention to the spring classics, where he will chase a third Milan-San Remo victory and a record-breaking fourth Tour of Flanders title.rtl