Dutch cycling superstar Mathieu van der Poel continued his cyclocross campaign with a powerful performance at the iconic Citadelcross in Namur, marking his return to competition with both strength and style.
Despite tricky conditions and a challenging course, the seven-time world champion showed that his champion’s mindset is still intact. Thousands of fans turned out — more than 12,000 spectators, a record for this event — creating one of the most electric atmospheres in cyclocross this season.
Van der Poel acknowledged the difficulty of the Namur terrain after his win, admitting he made a few mistakes but still managed to pull away and take the victory. His return underscores just how much public interest there is in his racing, and confirms that he remains one of the biggest draws in the sport.
Off the bike, he’s also been building momentum after a brief rest period, having spent weeks training in Spain to ensure he’s fit and ready for this winter’s packed cyclocross calendar. The Dutch champion said he feels prepared and eager as the season unfolds.
