Mathieu van der Poel questions cyclocross campaign after slow start to road season

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) at Tirreno-Adriatico last week
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) at Tirreno-Adriatico last week (Image credit: DIRK WAEMBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images)

Mathieu van der Poel has said that an ideal winter in the lead-up to the road season would be "one without cyclocross".

The Dutchman, reigning cyclocross world champion, made the comments ahead of Sunday's final stage at Tirreno-Adriatico, where he would go on to lead out Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Jasper Philipsen to victory for the second time in the race.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.