Mathieu Van der Poel has the history books in his sights as he bids to equal the long-standing record of Eric De Vlaeminck at this weekend's Cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin, northern France. The legendary Belgian star won seven elite men's CX world titles between 1966 and 1973, six of those in succession. However, Van der Poel stands poised on six world titles and is the heavy favourite to match the historic record 10 years after claiming his first elite rainbow jersey at the age of 20.
If the Alpecin-Deceuninck star can take victory then he would then have the chance to break the record next year on home turf in the Netherlands as Worlds heads to Hulst. His biggest challenge comes from childhood rival Wout van Aert after his surprise late entry was announced on Sunday , who will have an army of Belgian fans making the short trip over the border into France to support him. Meanwhile, the elite women’s race could be one for the ages, with defending champion Fem van Empel bidding for her third consecutive elite world title at just 22.
However, after a dominant 2024, this past season has seen the gap from Van Empel to her competitors close significantly. She'll likely face a huge battle with her Dutch teammates, most notably Lucinda Brand, who finished her pre-World Championships campaign with victory in Hoogerheide last weekend, well ahead of Van Empel in fourth and is also a former world champion from 2021. Brand will likely enter as the main favourite after Mari.
