Mathieu van der Poel often gifted mother Corinne a birthday win on December 29

Mathieu van der Poel will start the X2O Trofee Loenhout this afternoon with extra motivation. His mother Corinne is celebrating her birthday today. In the past, MVDP has often been successful on December 29.

Van der Poel has won several times on his mother’s birthday. For instance, he triumphed on December 29 at the Besançon World Cup (2024) and the Exact Cross Loenhout (2023). He has also won the Superprestige Diegem twice on this date: in 2013 as a U23 rider, and in 2019 in the elite category.

Van der Poel congratulates his mother on Instagram - photo: Instagram Mathieu van der Poel

Still, not all of Corinne’s birthdays have gone smoothly for Van der Poel. In 2017 he finished second at the Brico Cross in Bredene, behind Wout van Aert. Additionally, he had to abandon in Loenhout in 2016 and finished seventh there the year before.

Mathieu van der Poel’s wins on December 29:
2013: Superprestige Diegem U23
2019: Superprestige Diegem
2023: Exact Cross Loenhout
2024: Besançon World Cup