Van der Poel reveals his cyclocross calendar and confirms that he is going for the record

Mathieu van der Poel has set a date for his return to the mud. The reigning world champion and one of the great icons of cyclocross has revealed his calendar for the winter of 2025-2026. A block of a maximum of thirteen races, concentrated between December and January, with the sole real objective of defending the rainbow jersey on February 1 in Hulst (Netherlands).

Mathieu van der Poel presents a compact and rainbow-oriented cyclocross calendar for 2025-26

The Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck maintains the formula that worked so well for him last year of competing in few events at the highest level and with a preparation tailored to his all-terrain cyclist condition. Nevertheless, Van der Poel admits that two events, Namur (December 14) and Benidorm (January 18), depend on how he physically evolves in the coming days.

Beyond those two uncertainties, the structure of his winter is already defined. Van der Poel prioritizes the World Cup, where he will chain the major classics of December: Antwerp, Koksijde, Gavere, or Zonhoven. This block will be complemented by occasional appearances in the X2O Trophy (Hofstade, Loenhout, Baal) and in the Exact Cross (Mol).

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The debut, if confirmed, would come in Namur, one of the most iconic circuits on the calendar where he has already delivered memorable performances. From there, he will enter the usual Christmas marathon, a sequence that he himself has turned into familiar territory.

Complete calendar of Mathieu van der Poel – CX 2025/26

(Provisional dates in Namur and Benidorm)

• December 14 – Namur (BEL / World Cup) *
• December 20 – Antwerp (BEL / World Cup)
• December 21 – Koksijde (BEL / World Cup)
• December 22 – Hofstade (BEL / X2O Trophy)
• December 26 – Gavere (BEL / World Cup)
• December 29 – Loenhout (BEL / X2O Trophy)
• January 1 – Baal (BEL / X2O Trophy)
• January 2 – Mol (BEL / Exact Cross)
• January 4 – Zonhoven (BEL / World Cup)
• January 18 – Benidorm (ESP / World Cup) *
• January 24 – Maasmechelen (BEL / World Cup)
• January 25 – Hoogerheide (NED / World Cup)
• February 1 – Hulst (NED / World Championship)

* Dates still pending confirmation from the rider.

Van der Poel faces the winter with the added motivation of trying to become the first cyclist to achieve eight elite world cyclocross titles, definitively surpassing Eric de Vlaeminck, with whom he shares the current record.

The World Championship in Hulst, on Dutch soil and in front of an adoring crowd, offers an unbeatable stage to mark a new chapter in his career.

The route of his two main rivals, Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock, remains to be confirmed, and their calendars will determine the magnitude of the duels we will witness this winter. But what is clear is that, with Van der Poel back, the cyclocross season is reignited.