MVDP is back! This is Mathieu van der Poel's cyclo-cross calendar

We had to wait a long time for it, but finally we know when Mathieu van der Poel will return to cyclo-cross. The Dutchman will start his winter in Antwerp anyway, on December 20, although the World Cup in Namen, six days earlier on December 14, is also still an option.

The cyclo-cross winter so far has been spectacular and viewers have already enjoyed the exciting battle between men like Joris Nieuwenhuis, Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts and Michael Vanthourenhout. Still, it was waiting for the big guns of cyclo-cross to make their return, so Van der Poel's cyclo-cross calendar was eagerly awaited.

That was made official Friday afternoon, as the Dutchman reposted his calendar via his own Instagram. In doing so, the date of his return immediately stands out. Namely, at Namur, on December 14, it says "to be confirmed". This means that we do not yet know for sure whether MVDP will appear at the start there. It will depend on tests over the next few days to see if he is ready to return on December 14.

If not, we will see Van der Poel make his return six days later, in the World Cup of Antwerp. A day later, the Dutchman immediately follows up with the Koksijde World Cup, which will be a nice sandy weekend for the reigning world champion.

Rest a day later? No way, because Van der Poel will also be in action on December 22. He will do so in the cross of Hofstade, which is back on the calendar. On Boxing Day we will then see the Dutchman in action in Gavere, after which the cyclo-cross in Loenhout on December 29 will be the last of the calendar year.

On New Year's Day it will also be time for immediate action, as Van der Poel will be present in Baal. A day later, Mol follows, after which a single rest day should be enough to be fit and well at the start of the World Cup in Zonhoven, on January 4.

After that there will be a week of rest, and a participation in the World Cup of Benidorm is also not yet confirmed. That will depend on how the progression goes in his preparation for the road season. In any case, the Maasmechelen-Hoogerheide double is scheduled for January 24 and 25.

It will all be building up to this year's World Championships, which will be held on February 1st in Hulst. There, the Dutchman will have a shot at yet another rainbow jersey in cyclo-cross. In total, MVDP will thus participate in a maximum of thirteen cyclo-cross races, with the start not yet completely certain. His cyclo-cross winter will thus be at least six weeks long.

NAMUR (TBC) 14.12.2025

ANTWERP 20.12.2025

KOKSIJDE 21.12.2025

HOFSTADE 22.12.2025

GAVERE 26.12.2025

LOENHOUT 29.12.2025

BALE 01.01.2026

LDC 02.01.2026

ZONHOVEN 04.01.2026

BENIDORM (TBC) 18.01.2026

MAASMECHELEN 24.01.2026

HOOGERHEIDE 25.01.2026

HOLLY, NETHERLANDS 01.02.2026