Mathieu van der Poel’s long-awaited lreturn to the mud is edging closer, with Alpecin-Deceuninck finally breaking the silence over when fans can expect the world champion back in cyclocross colours.
Mathieu van der Poel’s eagerly anticipated return to cyclocross is now clearly on the horizon. After months of speculation, Alpecin-Deceuninck boss Christoph Roodhooft has offered the most concrete update yet: the world champion is expected to be back “around Christmas.”
Though the team has yet to name a specific race for his reappearance, insiders believe the most likely window falls in the crowded festive cyclocross calendar. Belgian media suggest a return could take place during one of three big events: Antwerpen on 20 December, Koksijde on 21 December, or Hofstade on 22 December. These races not only match sporting logic—they offer technical courses that suit Van der Poel’s powerful, hybrid style—but also carry strong commercial appeal, with Belgium remaining a key market for him.
Roodhooft has also hinted that the team will unveil Van der Poel’s full winter race plan during the 2026 UCI Cyclocross World Championships presentation at Hulst, which takes place between 30 January and 1 February. Notably, Hulst is in the Netherlands—making it a particularly meaningful setting for the world champion, who could be targeting an eighth elite rainbow jersey there.
Roodhooft emphasized that Van der Poel has returned from his off-season break recharged and focused. He “had a good break” while in the U.S. and is now training intensively for his cyclocross return. The Alpecin-Deceuninck team maintains a long-term, multidisciplinary outlook—building around his roles on the road, mountain bike, and in the mud.
That said, there’s some flexibility: while Christmas is the target, no official race announcement has been made. And according to Roodhooft, until the full schedule is revealed at the Worlds course presentation, subtle adjustments are still possible.
In short, after a welcome break and training build-up, Mathieu van der Poel looks set to re-enter the cyclocross fray in mid-to-late December. The exact venue remains unconfirmed, but the stage is being set for a high-profile and strategically placed return that dovetails with his broader ambitions on road and mountain bike.
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