Did UCI make mountain biking easier for van der Poel, again?

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) seems to be up to its old games. That is, changing rules in what looks like a pretty narrowly focused effort to help Mathieu van der Poel do better at his mountain bike side quest.

Now, there’s been a lot of rule changes leading into 2026. We’ll admit that, hiding amongst the helmet rules, handlebar dimensions, tire restrictions and frame/fork limits, this one slipped by unnoticed at the time. But, as World Cup mountain bike racing draws closer, it popped up again as notable.

Plus, it’s a pretty small rule change. The UCI is changing who is allowed on the start list of a short track cross country (XCC) World Cup. That is important because results of that XCC determine who gets to start in the front rows of that weekend’s XCO World Cup. And the results of those XCO World Cups are a big part of how riders can qualify for the Olympics. Which Mathieu van der Poel still, it seems, wants to do.

The rule change allows for the top ranked road and cyclocross racers to earn a spot on the XCC start list by virtue of their ranking in the other disciplines. A similar rule was introduced recently for XCO World Cups for similar reasons.

This is not necessarily bad. We like it when Mathieu van der Poel races cross country. But it is worth noting.

A very specific rule change

A few points to note here. First, this is quite a specific rule. Second, this isn’t the first time UCI’s blatantly and unapologetically meddled with rules to benefit a specific Dutch rider. Third, this rule is even more specifically tailored to the Dutch rider’s skills than other rule changes with similar intent.

Tailor made for a rider, or two

First, the rule is quite specifically for van der Poel. And, maybe, Tom Pidcock. There really aren’t many other riders in the cyclocross top 10 or road top 20 that are also racing mountain bikes.

And Pidcock has, in the past, proven quite willing to work through the field like everyone else instead of seeking rule changes. Even when that means altering his road calendar or patiently (sort of) passing most of the World Cup field to find a podium or win. Pidcock’s even railed publicly against this sort of rule change. He famously called, with his usual flourish, the pre-Glasgow affair a “Rule changing shit-show.” So it’s not likely Pidcock or his Pinarello Q36.5 team talking in UCI’s ear for this one.