{"id":115097,"date":"2026-01-29T14:18:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:18:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/?p=115097"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T11:25:17","slug":"van-der-poel-interview-cyclo-cross-world-championships-hulst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/en\/pro-peloton\/van-der-poel-interview-cyclo-cross-world-championships-hulst\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyclo-cross World Championship Hulst: Interview with Mathieu van der Poel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With just days to go before the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst, Mathieu van der Poel is approaching the race with a familiar mix of realism, calm confidence and respect for the unpredictability of a World Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite his strong winter and recent dominance, the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider is keen to temper expectations. \u201cIf only it were that easy,\u201d Van der Poel says. \u201cI\u2019m certainly not heading to Hulst with the feeling that it\u2019s already done. At a World Championships, anything can happen: mechanical issues, a bad day, a broken chain\u2026 I\u2019ve experienced it before, going in as the favourite and it not working out. Things look good, but the race still has to be ridden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent races, including Hoogerheide, offered encouraging signs, even if Van der Poel insists the picture was not entirely straightforward. \u201cHoogerheide gave a somewhat distorted view, with the chasers watching each other a lot,\u201d he explains. \u201cBut personally, I felt really good. The step I wanted to take in Spain during the first three weeks of January, I\u2019ve taken. I feel different compared to before I left. Exactly what we had planned for this winter. But once again: it all has to happen on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-one-win-from-the-record-books\"><strong>One win from the record books<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An eighth world title would place Van der Poel alone at the top of cyclo-cross history, surpassing the long-standing record of seven from Erik De Vlaeminck. While aware of the significance, he prefers not to dwell on it. \u201cI try not to focus on it too much,\u201d he says. \u201cBut I do realise it would be something unique. I think everyone believed that the record of seven titles would never be broken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than counting titles himself, Van der Poel views the numbers as a by-product of performance. \u201cI mainly see them as a consequence of my results. It\u2019s not like I keep track of the numbers myself. But it\u2019s nice that journalists do it for me,\u201d he smiles. \u201cAs I get older, I do reflect on it a bit more. When I started, I never expected this. No one did, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f6709a51e32&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f6709a51e32\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-115090\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-0578-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-stress-to-control-the-mental-shift\"><strong>From stress to control: the mental shift<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Experience, he believes, has made a tangible difference during last years. \u201cThe biggest change is that I can handle more training as I\u2019ve grown older, and I\u2019ve become mentally stronger,\u201d he explains. \u201cThat was clear again in Maasmechelen. In the past, I would have stressed about punctures. That\u2019s completely gone now. I don\u2019t get nervous very quickly anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cyclo-cross-future-decision-postponed\"><strong>Cyclo-cross future: decision postponed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Van der Poel has previously acknowledged that he has thought about his future in CX. \u201cI\u2019ve thought about it and talked about it, but I haven\u2019t made a final decision yet,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t be making that decision immediately after the World Championships either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What remains beyond doubt is his motivation. \u201cI still really enjoy cyclo-cross,\u201d Van der Poel stresses. \u201cBut from time to time you have to consider other options. There will always come an end, and I\u2019ve always hoped to stop at a high point. If you\u2019re given that choice, it makes the decision a bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, the focus is clear. \u201cI\u2019m so close now,\u201d he admits. \u201cThat eighth title remains the goal, no matter what. If I don&#8217;t take on Sunday? Then I continu, for sure!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;69f6709a529f5&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"69f6709a529f5\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-115088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.alpecincycling.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MVDP-Tabor__Fellusch-8754-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hulst-course-notes-bridges-pontoons-rain\"><strong>Hulst course notes: bridges, pontoons, rain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As for the Hulst course itself, Van der Poel has yet to inspect it in detail. \u201cI\u2019ve heard there will be extra bridges and pontoons over the water, and that it\u2019s become a bit heavier,\u201d he says. \u201cRain is also forecast. Hopefully we\u2019ll get a tough edition. I\u2019ll probably go and have a look later in the week.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Asked what he would do if he were in the position of a rival trying to beat Mathieu van der Poel, the world champion turned the perspective inward. \u201cI would always believe in my chances,\u201d he said. \u201cI can recognise parts of what others are going through. I know what it feels like not to be able to follow Pogacar on the Oude Kwaremont. I experience that myself&#8230;\u00a0 For me, that works as motivation. It makes me work even harder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Photos: Fellusch<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mathieu van der Poel talks in front of the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Hulst about his form, records, the future, and the course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":115094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-115097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pro-peloton"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cyclo-cross World Championship: Interview Mathieu van der Poel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mathieu van der Poel talks in front of the Cyclo-cross World 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