Mathieu van der Poel returned to competitive cyclocross on December 22, 2024, with commanding finesse, winning the sixth round of the 2024-2025 UCI CX World Cup held at the sand-laden course of Zonhoven, Belgium.
It was not just any race for van der Poel; it marked his fifth victory at Zonhoven, reinforcing his dominance in the sport. Starting from Row 3, van der Poel quickly made his presence known. Toon Aerts, who secured the holeshot, was soon overtaken by the reigning world champion as van der Poel expertly navigated the treacherous sandy descent, pulling away from the pack.
By the end of the first lap, van der Poel had already stretched his lead to 21 seconds, setting the stage for what was to become a masterclass performance. His relentless pace saw him continue to multiply his advantage as the race progressed, finishing first with a time of 1:00:09, 1:30 minutes clear of his closest rival, Thibau Nys.
Nys, representing the Baloise Trek Lions, proved to be the strongest contender among the others, capitalizing on the chaos behind van der Poel to secure second place, finishing 1:30 behind. Joran Wyseure of Crelan-Corendon fought through a fierce contest for third, eventually overtaking Aerts late in the race.
The conditions on the course were challenging, with freshly packed sandy sections from overnight rain. This set the stage for exciting maneuvers, particularly during van der Poel's initial lead, which he established almost immediately. After the rains softened the sand, the competitors battled for traction, with van der Poel carving his path through the swirling winds and gritty terrain.
“One of the best [race] and maybe the one I didn't expect, so it's really nice,” said van der Poel reflecting on his success. He had initially altered his training regimen, focusing more on endurance over intervals, aiming for freshness compared to the strenuous preparation of the previous season. This calculated approach evidently paid off, allowing him to seize the opportunity from the start.
Throughout the race, various skirmishes ensued for the remaining podium spots. With key competitors, including Pim Ronhaar, Eli Iserbyt, and Laurens Sweeck, battling tirelessly behind Nys, the drama of the race continued to evolve. Michael Vanthourenhout, who had been leading the series, struggled significantly due to crash-related impairments from the earlier Hulst round, which resulted in him finishing far behind.
Vanthourenhout's misfortunes presented more opportunities for Aerts, who attempted to maintain his place within the top ranks. Nevertheless, as the race neared its final laps, Aerts fell short of securing any podium position, trailing behind Wyseure.
This World Cup round was not only pivotal for van der Poel as he kicks off his cyclocross season but it also reshuffles the standings among the elite racers during the series. The atmosphere bubbled with excitement and energy as fans cheered with each lap, the cheers amplifying as van der Poel built upon his already monumental lead.
With the next round scheduled for Boxing Day, December 26, 2024, at Gavere, Belgium, van der Poel's dominating performance at Zonhoven signals his intentions to reclaim and maintain his top form throughout the series.
The 2024-2025 UCI CX World Cup continues to captivate fans, especially with figures like van der Poel showcasing remarkable prowess and determination. With his confidence soaring after this impressive win, he's poised to remain the athlete to watch as the season progresses.
