The highly anticipated showdown between cyclocross giants Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel could soon captivate cycling enthusiasts, especially after Van Aert's recent health setback. The two stars, widely regarded as the best competitors in men’s cyclocross, have been trading victories and have drawn massive audiences whenever they compete. Though illnesses and injuries have staggered their encounters recently, there are signs of hope for their fans.
Van Aert, racing for Visma – Lease a Bike, was set to kick off his cyclocross season on December 23 at the Zilvermeercross round of the Superprestige series held at Mol, Belgium. Unfortunately, the Belgian star felt ill during his training ride on Saturday, leading to his withdrawal from the Mol race. His team later reported his sinuses were completely blocked, and he experienced significant discomfort, making it hard to eat. "Suddenly, the illness took hold, and Wout felt unwell. There was nothing to be done," explained his manager, Jef Van Den Bosch, to HLN.
Despite his disappointing start, Van Aert's management remains optimistic about his recovery. "Now it’s just about recovering and taking it day by day," Van Den Bosch noted, pointing out the possibility of his star returning to compete at the Exact Cross event on December 27 if he feels well. The hope is to see him back on the course by then, facing off against Van der Poel.
Meanwhile, Mathieu van der Poel, competing for Alpecin–Deceuninck, has already had a busy start to the season. He participated successfully at the World Cup event on December 22 and followed it up with another impressive victory at the Zilvermeercross the next day. Van der Poel’s cyclocross calendar is packed, with races scheduled almost nonstop through early February, culminating at the World Championships in Lièvin.
Although Van Aert is sidelined, Van der Poel is expected to race again on December 26 at the World Cup event in Gavere, Belgium. Given his current form—having won the Gavere race multiple times—he has entered as one of the favorite competitors. Interestingly, Van den Bosch mentioned, "We don’t know much more than what we announced yesterday. He is now feeling reasonably well. Certainly, he’s much improved compared to the previous day."
Nonetheless, the cycling community is buzzing with anticipation for the Exact Cross event at Loenhout, where both riders may finally face off. It is significant as this race could serve as their first head-to-head meting of this young season. Van Aert's absence at the start of the year emphasized how resilient and tenacious both racers have been when facing challenges and forced intervals out of competition due to injuries and illnesses.
The rivalry between the two men has only gotten scarier over their time as both have held championship titles and racing records. Their competition peaked during the 2023 World Cyclocross Championships, where Van der Poel outmaneuvered Van Aert during the final sprint, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their next encounter.
After Loenhout, the two are scheduled to meet again at the World Cup in Dendermonde on January 5, followed by another paragraph at Maasmechelen on January 25. While there's disappointment around Van Aert missing out on early races, the possibility of their electrifying rivalry re-engaging is something many fans won’t want to miss. This sport thrives on these matchups, and whether it’s one of them breaking away at the front or battling wheel-to-wheel, their encounters are always thrilling.
Fans can follow the races online, as the UCI has been livestreaming World Cups on YouTube for free. Those with FloBikes subscriptions have even more access to the cyclocross series, including Exact and Superprestige races, allowing fans to catch all the action and drama as it happens.
With both riders at the top of their game, the cyclocross season promises to be thrilling, full of unexpected challenges, rivalries, and unforgettable moments. It’s just another page in the storied legacy of these two extraordinary athletes, and spectators are eager to watch them make history again.
