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Dani Ostanek

'There has to be an end someday' – Mathieu van der Poel hints at cyclocross retirement as soon as this season

Dutch Mathieu Van Der Poel pictured in action during the men's elite race of the Cyclocross World Cup, in Namur, Sunday 14 December 2025, stage 4 (out of 12) in the World Cup of the 2026-2027 season. BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS (Photo by DAVID PINTENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP).

Cyclocross world champion Mathieu van der Poel took all the attention over the weekend, scoring back-to-back triumphs at the UCI World Cup rounds in Antwerp and Koksijde. Away from the mud, he also made headlines after hinting at a possible retirement from the sport.

Van der Poel is racing a limited calendar of 13 events this winter, including a bid to win a record-breaking eighth world title, but could this campaign be his last on the 'cross bike?

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