Van der Poel teases retirement from cyclocross
Mathieu van der Poel has been very busy this weekend, kicking off the Kerstperiode with back-to-back wins at Antwerp and Koksijde. But he's also been busy fielding questions from the voracious media, including on his future in the discipline.
"I have always indicated that I would really like to bring the [World Championship] record to my own country," Van der Poel told Het Nieuwsblad, referring to the seven-win record he currently shares with Belgian Erik de Vlaeminck. "Otherwise, there wouldn't be much more to achieve for me in cyclo-cross.”
He was then asked if he would not consider returning to his favoured ground of Hoogerheide, which will be hosting the World Champs again in 2028. To which he answered, "I always wanted to stop at a high point. If you finish fifth in Hoogerheide ... then there will be an aftertaste. I'm not saying I'm assuming I'm going to be world champion in Hulst [this season], but then I would have the choice to do it there.
"We've talked about [retirement] internally a few times. It's something I'm thinking about, yes. I'm not getting any younger either, hey? Currently I'm still at a very high level, but who says that will be the case in two or three years?"
This would all be with his road racing objectives in mind, to get more rest over winter and embrace more purposeful training for the road. Though he was asked if perhaps his 'cross exploits might aid his road season.
“I don't think I absolutely need cyclo-cross to reach my best level, certainly not," he went on. "Maybe it could be even better without 'cross? If you don't try, you won't know. What would I miss most? The cross in itself, of course. That's still what I like to do. And the fans. I grew up with that atmosphere. Well, we'll see. It's certainly not a final decision yet.”
