Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning cyclocross world champion, has had to withdraw from the X2O Trophy Koksijde race scheduled for the 3rd of January. The Dutch cyclist is suffering from a rib injury sustained after Christmas, forcing him to miss his second event on an 11-race calendar. He already skipped the GP Sven Nys earlier in the week.
The injury was caused during van der Poel’s solo victory at the Exact Cross Loenhout, where he hit a wooden post while navigating a turn in the closing laps. He managed to clinch the win there and subsequently emerged victorious at the World Cup in Besançon two days later. However, the injury has progressively worsened.
Alpecin-Deceuninck confirmed van der Poel’s absence from Koksijde on Thursday. The team released an Instagram post stating, “Mathieu van der Poel’s rib problems persist, causing significant discomfort, particularly on heavier terrain. As a result, he will not participate in Koksijde tomorrow.” They have not yet decided if he will compete in the Dendermonde World Cup on Sunday, with a decision expected on Saturday.
Van der Poel’s performance this cyclocross season has been nothing short of dominant, winning all five of his appearances convincingly. Missing Koksijde, one of his favourite and well-attended courses, was a blow, especially given his success there. He first won the CX rainbow jersey at Koksijde as a junior in 2012, ahead of his long-term rival, Wout van Aert, and has claimed victory in the men’s senior race there four times.
“This is really disappointing because Koksijde is one of my favourite races,” said van der Poel. “It’s where I won my first world title, for example. But it’s just too soon. I hope to be ready for Dendermonde, although I fear it will be a close call.”
Should he miss Dendermonde as well, van der Poel will have only two races left to prepare for his title defence in Lièvin, France. A win on the 2nd of February would see him match the record for the most senior men’s rainbow jerseys, held by Erik De Vlaeminck, a legend of the 1960s and 1970s.
Mathieu van der Poel’s remaining CX races
- 05/01/25 – World Cup Dendermonde (TBC on Saturday)
- 25/01/25 – World Cup Maasmechelen
- 26/01/25 – World Cup Hoogerheide
- 02/02/25 – World Championships Lièvin
