Some of you may have noticed some big names were missing from this year’s cyclocross season: Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tom Pidcock. With their absence, new faces have been enjoying winning rides. After a long silence, we finally have news from the three male stars.
“Mathieu van der Poel’s cross program has taken shape. In the run-up to the World Cup, he will ride 10 cyclocross races. On December 26, the world champion will start for the first time together with Wout van Aert: in the World Cup round in Dendermonde.”(Translated) – sporza.
According to sporza, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel will be competing against each other five times during the run-up to the World Cup. Their first race against each other will start on December 26 at Dendermonde. Mark that down on your calendar folks. Read the full story here.
Here is a list of races Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel will attend.
2021-2022 Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel Cyclocross season plans
| Wout van Aert | Mathieu van der Poel | |
|---|---|---|
| Superprestige Tree | ✓ | |
| World Cup Antwerp | ✓ | |
| Ethias Cross Essen | ✓ | |
| World Cup Val Di Sole (Ita) | ✓ | |
| World Cup Rucphen (Ned) | ✓ | |
| World Cup Namur | ✓ | |
| World Cup Dendermonde | ✓ | ✓ |
| Superprestige Heusden-Zolder | ✓ | |
| Superprestige Diegem | ✓ | ✓ |
| X²O Trophy Loenhout | ✓ | ✓ |
| X²O Trophy Baal | ✓ | |
| World Cup Holly (Ned) | ✓ | ✓ |
| X²O Trophy Herentals | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bk Middelkerke | ✓ | |
| Nk Zaltbommel (Ned) | ✓ | |
| X²O Trophy Hamme | ✓ | |
| World Cup Hoogerheide (Netherlands) | ✓ | |
| World Cup Fayetteville (Us) | Maybe | Yes |
Mathieu van der Poel posted a sponsor-promoting message on October 24. Having recovered from his back problems, it seems he is ready to get back into action.
With Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel rejoining the race, the competition just got a whole lot more challenging. However, Eli Iserbyt isn’t about to give up.
“I will not just give in to Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel”(Translated) – Eli Iserbyt
According to nieuwsblad.be, Eli Iserbyt is at the top of his game. With 11 victories under his belt, he has grown into a “complete cyclocross rider”. Read the full story here.
But what happened to Tom Pidcock? According to De Telegraaf, He decided to compete in road cycling at the start of the season. He won the Brabantse Pijl, finished second in the Amstel Gold Race, and was third in the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. He also won the Olympic gold medal in mountain biking. However, for this all-rounder, cyclocross is not out of the picture. He is aiming to be the world champion this winter. Read the full story here.
“The cyclocross season is not an option for the all-rounder, however. He would like to become world champion this winter. In a discipline that he started ‘for fun’ five years ago. A new world opened up to him at the World Championships in Zolder.” – De Telegraaf
After recovering from tendinitis, Tom Pidcock was ready to resume training and attend the winter cyclocross season. He will be clashing off against Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel this season.
