Van der Poel equals legend De Vlaeminck with 7th world title: will the ultimate record follow in Hulst?
After winning the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin, Mathieu van der Poel could become the sole record holder with eight world titles next year in Hulst. The Dutchman has made no secret of the fact that surpassing the legendary Erik De Vlaeminck in the history books is now his most important goal in cyclo-cross.
Multi-talented Mathieu van der Poel boasts an impressive list of achievements in cycling. That cyclo-cross is one of his greatest passions needs little explanation. The Dutchman, who turned 30 last month, has won countless World Cup races in cyclo-cross and has now claimed seven world championships in his career.
Van der Poel, who won his first cyclo-cross world title in Tábor, Czech Republic, as a 20-year-old in 2015, equalled De Vlaeminck’s record in Liévin. The Belgian legend, who passed away in 2015, set his streak of seven world titles between 1966 and 1973.
Recently, Van der Poel hinted that the record of Erik De Vlaeminck is one of his biggest motivations to keep cyclo-cross an important part of his life, alongside road cycling and mountain biking.
“That record is the only thing left for me to achieve in cyclo-cross,” said Van der Poel.
Next year in Hulst, he could become the sole record holder.
Mathieu van der Poel in Hulst in 2023
Familiar ground
For the Dutchman, Hulst is familiar ground. The small town in Zeeland is not far from where he trained many laps. He also participated several times in the international Vestingcross, which has been part of the World Cup circuit for five years now and is partly held on the same course as the World Championships. Van der Poel has already crossed the finish line as the winner in Hulst six times.
It is quite possible that the World Championships in Zeeland will (for now) be his last appearance as a cyclo-cross rider. With the support of the home crowd, this should end with one last top spot on the podium and the rainbow jersey. Even more reason to be there as a fan…
