Mathieu van der Poel moves cyclocross season debut up to December 16

Mathieu van der Poel with the rainbow jersey at the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships
Mathieu van der Poel with the rainbow jersey at the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mathieu van der Poel was supposed to start his 14-event cyclocross campaign at the Exact Cross on December 22 in Mol but, following a training camp he pushed that debut almost a week earlier to the X20 Trophy in Herentals on December 16.

"I've trained well in Spain and I feel ready to start in @X2OTrofee Herentals," Van der Poel said via the Alpecin-Deceuninck social media channels. "An extra competition hour ahead of the busy Christmas period can only be positive."

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"Big three" Cyclocross schedules
Header Cell - Column 0 Van der PoelVan AertPidcock
Dec. 16 - X²O Trophy Herentals CrossxRow 0 - Cell 2 x
Dec. 17 - World Cup NamurRow 1 - Cell 1 Row 1 - Cell 2 x
Dec. 22 - Zilvermeercross MolxxRow 2 - Cell 3
Dec. 23 - World Cup #9 Antwerpxxx
Dec. 26 - World Cup #10 Gaverexxx
Dec. 27 – Superprestige Heusden-ZolderRow 5 - Cell 1 xRow 5 - Cell 3
Dec. 28 - Superprestige DiegemxRow 6 - Cell 2 x
Dec. 29 - Azencross – LoenhoutxRow 7 - Cell 2 Row 7 - Cell 3
Dec. 30 - World Cup #11 Hulstxxx
Jan. 01 - X²O Trophy GP Sven NysxxRow 9 - Cell 3
Jan. 04 - X²O Trophy Koksijdexxx
Jan. 07 - World Cup #12 Zonhovenx?x
Jan. 21 - World Cup #13 Benidormx?x
Jan. 27 - X²O Trophy - HammexRow 13 - Cell 2 Row 13 - Cell 3
Jan. 28 - World Cup #14 HoogerheidexRow 14 - Cell 2 Row 14 - Cell 3
Feb. 04 - World ChampionshipsxRow 15 - Cell 2 Row 15 - Cell 3
Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.