Hard work, sweat, and flat tires: Mathieu van der Poel's three conclusions after the World Cup in Maasmechelen
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleAnd that's number 50: Mathieu van der Poel won his 50th World Cup cyclo-cross race on Saturday in Maasmechelen, equaling Sven Nys' record. In Belgian Limburg, it wasn't so much his toes that did the work, but rather his full tires. After the race, MVDP shared his story with IDLProCycling.com, among others.
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“It wasn't that difficult to predict that there would be flat tires. If you walk a lap around the course here, you can see the stones lying around,” said Van der Poel, who had two flat tires. “What could you do about it? Be careful and inflate your tires, but it still happened to me.”
And so the victory gesture was one in which the sweat was figuratively wiped from his forehead: Van der Poel had to work for it in Maasmechelen. “Those flat tires came at an inconvenient time. It was a fight to the finish.”
Read on below the video!
Van der Poel on two flat tires
“The first flat tire was at the front, and there was still quite a long way to go, so that always takes energy,” explains Van der Poel. “I calculated in my head how many sections I still had to cover. It was still a long way. I wasn't too stressed about the hole, but I did have to fix it.”
He managed to do so, and the Dutchman from Alpecin-Premier Tech was back in the race. “But then I got another one. After that first flat tire, I was extra careful, but it still happened.” Did he panic, knowing he still had to catch up with Thibau Nys, Tibor Del Grosso, and Niels Vandeputte?
“A little. I thought it would be a bit more difficult to get the job done, but I was able to change bikes and immediately tackle the most important section. That allowed me to maintain my lead.”
“Fortunately, I still had time to get back into the race, but if you have another setback, it's over,” said Van der Poel, who was very pleased with his form. “I had a good feeling here and the idea that I could still turn it around if necessary.”
Continue reading below the photo!
Van der Poel on track for World Championships
“The hardest victory is still the first one, in Namur,” he reflects after his eleventh victory. “A victory in cyclocross is never easy, but I did take a different approach this season. I do think I'm a lot better now.”
That should lead to the World Championship title in Hulst, Zeeland, next Sunday. “I really want to win that eighth world title and I'm looking forward to it. There's some rain coming and the course in Hulst is one we haven't seen very often.”
Just like Van der Poel is one we haven't seen very often – we repeat, 50 World Cup victories!
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Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026
