Maasmechelen CX World Cup: the last duel of the season between Van Aert and Van der Poel arrives

The limited calendar of Wout van Aert on one hand and the physical problems of Mathieu van der Poel on the other have prevented us from enjoying the usual duels in the mud between two of the great historical specialists in the discipline of cyclocross this winter. Only the Azencross de Loenhout, the race in which the Alpecin-Deceuninck man suffered the blow that has shortened his competitive program, has brought together the two number ones before they face each other again this Saturday in the CX World Cup in Maasmechelen, the last event of this winter for the Visma | Lease a Bike cyclist.

How to follow the CX World Cup in Maasmechelen 2025

Once again, we have to turn to Eurosport to experience the best cyclocross spectacle. The thematic channel will broadcast live through its second channel the long-awaited duel between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. On the other hand, also on Eurosport 2, the women's race will be broadcast on delay after the end of the men's competition. However, there is the possibility of also following it live from the MAX app thanks to its sports extension.

Of course, for anyone traveling to Flanders or in the Limburg province on Saturday, the other option is to buy a ticket and enjoy in person one of the best fan bases in this sport. For €18 in advance or €20 at the door, you can experience first-hand all the excitement of the penultimate round of the World Cup.

Schedule of the Maasmechelen World Cup

Saturday, January 25

• Elite women's race: 13:40
• Elite men's race: 15:10

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Second and final duel between Van Aert and Van der Poel

On a relatively new circuit in the World Cup, as it has only hosted two previous editions, Van der Poel and Van Aert will try to claim their first victory in this Belgian commune. The Dutchman arrives with a flawless record in this 24/25 season. Five races and as many victories, however, he has not competed since December 29 due to physical problems he has been dealing with in the first weeks of the new year.

Meanwhile, Van Aert, more inconsistent, alternates two wins with two fourth places. The first, in his only face-to-face this winter against his historic rival and the last, last weekend, on the very fast track of Benidorm. Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions), winner in the Spanish race, looks set to become the main threat to the two favorites for victory.

The overall World Cup returns almost resolved to Belgium

The other point of interest in Maasmechelen is the resolution of the World Cup, as only this race and the one in Hoogerheide (Netherlands) remain the next day. In the men's category, Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Cibel) reaches the conclusion with a comfortable 33-point lead over Toon Aerts (Deschacht-Hens), the only one who could threaten the Belgian, although he would only need to score eight more points than his rival to secure the title.

The resolution seems even clearer in the women's category, as Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions), after her second place in Benidorm, has 51 points more than her compatriot Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike). The World Cup leader could mathematically be crowned the winner in Massmechelen if she finishes in second place, regardless of the position of the also Dutch rider.