His dream as a young cyclo-cross rider was to one day win the world title. “But eight? In the past I would have said that was impossible.” Mathieu van der Poel (31) has been the record holder with eight world titles since Sunday, but the question is how many more will be added. “It might not be a bad idea to skip a winter.”
With thirteen wins in thirteen matches, Van der Poel is having a great season. It certainly doesn’t come easy to him, because the world champion puts a lot of energy into it. “Ninety percent is not enough for me. I want to be in top shape. Some people underestimate how much work goes into reaching this level.”
After the finish on Sunday in Hulst, Zeeland, a lot of pressure was lifted from his shoulders. “It is easy to say that I will win the world title, but a lot can happen in an hour of racing. I have also not succeeded in three years. This win was certainly not walk in the park. I was prepared for all scenarios, it had to be perfect. Once I crossed the finish line, I was very happy.”
“It’s great that I got this record.”
The world title is always special, but this one even more so. It was his eighth and with that he passed the Belgian Erik De Vlaeminck with seven World Cup gold medals. “It was on my mind at the beginning of this season. It’s great that I have now set the record, I am proud of this achievement.”
Who was also proud was King Willem-Alexander. Van der Poel received congratulations afterwards. “Very cool that he was here to support the Dutch. He indicated that he really appreciated our performance.”
Tibor del Grosso, the silver winner, is also full of praise for Van der Poel. “He didn’t even have the best legs this season, but it was incredible to see his strength. Great that he has gone into the history books, he is the best of all time. I don’t think I can ever be that good, but I hope to get close.”
“There are certainly still goals left, although I won’t achieve them all.”
After a short holiday, the focus turns to the road season. There too he is ambitious and is only satisfied with the win. “I think about the big classics, that’s where I want to be. There are certainly still goals left, although I won’t achieve them all. I enjoy cycling and want to work hard, that’s a good sign.”
It remains to be seen whether he will be at the Cyclocross World Championships again next year. “For example, I am thinking about skipping a winter and starting the road season earlier. I always think about improvements, things have to go better than the year before.”
