
Belgium's National Coach Angelo De Clercq predicted as much before the elite men's race at the 2026 Cyclo-cross World Championships – his riders were likely to be battling for second and third place, at best.
The Belgians hadn't displayed much hope of beating Mathieu van der Poel in Hulst on Sunday, and the Dutchman was in imperious form on home ground, soloing to win a record eighth title by 35 seconds.