Is Mathieu van der Poel quitting cyclocross after Sunday? Nys: "I expect him to skip next season"

This cyclocross season, Mathieu van der Poel dropped a bombshell about his cyclocross retirement. The world champion mentioned he was considering hanging up his cyclocross bike Sunday after the World Championships in Hulst, but after that, there was silence. Nevertheless, Niels Albert and Sven Nys don't believe Van der Poel will actually announce his retirement this Sunday.

"I never believe that," Nys made clear in an interview with HLN. Albert added, "He will want to become world champion again in 2028 in Hoogerheide, at home with his father Adrie. That would be for the tenth time."

Regarding a tenth world title, Nys disagrees with Albert. "No, that will be a ninth time. Because next season I really see him taking a break. For the record, I don't have any insider info, it’s just a feeling. Because he will want to see if this new approach helps him put more pressure on Tadej Pogacar," Nys explained.

"I'm not convinced of the added value, but he will definitely want to try again," Nys concluded.