Mathieu van der Poel will return to cyclocross racing this season and is expected to make his first appearance during the busy period around Christmas. This was revealed by his team manager Christoph Roodhooft of Alpecin-Deceuninck on Sunday in Sporza.
There has been a long wait for news about Van der Poel’s comeback in cyclocross. An exact race for his return has not yet been announced, as MVDP’s full winter schedule will only be presented at the official course presentation of the 2026 Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst, Zeeland.
On Sunday, however, there was an update regarding the reigning cyclocross world champion’s plans; team manager Roodhooft revealed something about Van der Poel’s season debut during the X2O Badkamers Trophy on Sporza. “Around Christmas, that’s when he’ll be seen somewhere,” he laughed.
We had already taken a look at MVDP’s possible winter schedule. His comeback could happen as early as in Kortrijk or Namur on December 13 and 14. However, a return in the trio of races in Antwerp (December 20), Koksijde (December 21), or Hofstade (December 22) seems more realistic, as we suggested. But for now, we will have to keep waiting...
