Mathieu van der Poel tied Erick De Vlaeminck’s record of seven elite men’s CX world titles in Sunday’s concluding race of the 2025 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Liévin, France. The Dutchman rode solo almost from the gun. His compatriot Marianne Vos has eight elite women’s titles. Tyler Clark was the top Canadian in 38th.
Two chaps represented Canada: Tyler Clark and Cody Scott.
Toon Aerts stole the hole shot on Lap 1, but he was soon overwhelmed by van der Poel. World Cup victor Michael Vanthourenhout aimed to keep a close eye on the world champion. Filipe Orts fought his way into Position 2. Wout van Aert had a long distance to make up. Soon van der Poel’s lead was in double digits, as Vanthourenhout, Orts and Laurens Sweeck chased as a unit. Van der Poel completed the first 2.95-km lap in 7:40, Joris Nieuwenhuis having joined the chase group 20 seconds back. Clark and Scott were 40th and 41st.
Just after Sweeck pulled away from the other chasers at the start of Lap 2, he crashed. Thibau Nys made his way up the field to chase behind Vanthourenhout, Sweeck and Joris Nieuwenhuis. Van Aert fought into the top-10. Emiel Verstrynge made it four Belgians in the pursuit group. Van der Poel led by 45 seconds at the line.
Van Aert finally linked up with the chase at the start of Lap 3 of 8. When van Aert began to push on Lap 4, Nieuwenhuis and Nys could go with him but only momentarily. Clark was 37th and Scott 41st. Van Aert tried to light out on his own, but Nieuwenhuis pinned him back. At the midway point, MvdP’s lead was 54 seconds.
Wout van Aert shook loose of Nieuwenhuis on Lap 5, leaving him to podium skirmish with Nys. The “Nieu-Nys” scrap was the main contest on Lap 6 as van der Poel was far ahead and van Aert seemed likely for silver.
Nys left Nieuwenhuis behind on the penultimate lap. When he heard the bell, van der Poel’s lead was just under a minute.
Van der Poel took a fresh bike for the final half lap, receiving applause from the pit people. He had plenty of time to celebrate at the line. It was Nys’ first elite medal to add to his Junior gold and U23 gold and bronze.
2025 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, Elite Men
Gold) Mathieu van der Poel (The Netherlands) 1:02:44
Silver) Wout van Aert (Belgium) +0:45
Bronze) Thibau Nys…
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