Mathieu Van Der Poel: The greatest male cyclocross racer of all time? It’s becoming increasingly difficult to make a case for anyone else in history

There’s been a lot of debate in recent months as to who is the greatest men’s cyclocross racer of all time, and now with eight senior men’s world titles to his name, many are declaring it has to be the flying Dutchman, Mathieu van der Poel. Even before he scored his latest – and reportedly his last – world title over the weekend, he had a strong claim. Now, with a record eight rainbow jerseys stacked up in the back of his Lambo, I’d have to say that he is truly worthy of the GOAT title, albeit by a slippery sand-strewn line in the mud.

Of course, it’s almost impossible to compare riders of different eras, generations and genders, such as the Merckx and Pogacar comparisons on the road – although I think it’s a little easier to define with cyclocross. This is simply my five crispy fries’ worth on the dirty debate, and I’m sure many will have their opinions (you’re welcome to share them in the comments, of course). I’ll continue making my case below… 

Past eras and other GOAT title contenders

Is cyclocross higher profile and more competitive than it was in early days? That’s a tough one. Higher profile, absolutely, largely because of the fact that it’s broadcast on various platforms throughout the world, as opposed to a few sparse minutes of a World Championships or the Halfords International on Grandstand that we were rationed to in the UK during the ’70s and ’80s. This, along with huge advances in bike tech, nutrition and training methods, likely has made it somewhat more competitive all-round, as with all other branches of the sport. Whether that sways your GOAT votes is another matter.

When it comes to world titles, MVDP’s eighth puts him one ahead of Eric De Vlaeminck’s seven professional titles, all bar one of which were won when there were separate amateur tiles held too. This would have, to an extent, precluded the great Eastern Block riders of the era from racing as professionals.

When it comes to the numbers of recorded cyclocross wins (which is hard to detail, as stats are not often clear on the categories/stature of the older races), De Vlaeminck won an estimated 200+ cross races (some estimate it’s more like 260), compared to MVDP’s 183 elite wins. Eclipsing them both is Albert van Damme of Belgium, who is estimated to have scored over 400 ‘cross victories (at which level isn’t completely clear), but had just one world title, largely thanks to his battles with the De Vlaeminck brothers. The younger De Vlaeminck, Roger, also won around 110 ‘cross races (some estimate almost double this), including one pro and one amateur world title.

The second most victorious male ‘cross racer (with an estimated 140 elite cross wins, though outside of this were many more) is Sven Nys, who amazingly ‘only’ won two world titles, in an era where he pretty much ruled the roost.

Hot on their mud- clogged GOAT podium title chasing heels, we have to have five-time world title winner and Swiss ace Albert Zweifel, who was a five-time champ in the ’70s and ’80s. The only Italian in with a serious shout is Renato Longo, and the Belgian four-time champion Roland Liboton also deserves a mention. It would also be a sin to exclude Wout Van Aert from this list, a three-time world champ, and he beat MVDP in all of those races. Behind these legends is a small strung-out echelon of greats, though I’d say for me, these are the prime GOAT title favourites.

If they all went head-to-head in their prime? Wow, that would be one hell of a ‘cross fans fantasy race. Who would win? Well, if there was no rainbow jersey on the line, I could imagine it going to the line. Depending on the course, I’d like to see Nys and the De Vlaeminck brothers battling it out between them for nostalgia’s sake, though I think MVDP and Wout would have something to say about that. If there was a world title at stake, that’s one where MVDP would be hard to beat.

So, where does that leave us? By a slither of gouda and half a muddy tyre knobble, I’d say MVDP takes it on the line from Nys and Eric De Vlaeminck. The silver medal could be a dead heat, but my own commissaires panel would probably give it to Eric.

The end of MVDP’s GOAT-chasing quest?

There’s something strange in the local mud. The weekend’s title bout may not have been the most exciting I’ve ever seen, or at least not at the absolute head of the race, but there’s no question that MVDP reigned supreme, almost without so much as a slipped gear. He was clearly the best of the bunch, and I’d that say he has been all season, across all terrain and in all conditions.

Will MVDP really hang up his ‘cross bikes for good? I hope not, and very much doubt that it will be a permanent thing, as he is still only 31. His priorities are an odd mixed bag of road and cross-country MTB, clearly aiming to leave the sport with a huge and very varied collection or rainbow jerseys. If he wins Olympic MTB or road gold in 2028, will he call time on his career? If he’s still missing a MTB title, will he be back to cyclocross in 2028?

I guess only time and results will tell, but for now I’m calling it: MVDP is the cyclocross GOAT.