{"id":10728,"date":"2026-10-01T19:02:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T19:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velomag.eu\/winter-whispers-the-itch-to-ride\/"},"modified":"2026-10-01T19:02:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T19:02:58","slug":"winter-whispers-the-itch-to-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/velomag.eu\/nl\/winter-whispers-the-itch-to-ride\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Whispers: The Itch to Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch cycling sensation, has recently concluded his 2026 road season with a bronze medal at the UCI Road World Championships in Montr\u00e9al. This performance capped off a season that included victories at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the E3 Saxo Classic, and a stage win at the Tour de France. (cyclingnews.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

However, his participation in the upcoming cyclocross season remains uncertain. Van der Poel has expressed that he is unsure about returning to cyclocross, stating, “I don’t know if there will be a return to cyclocross, we’ll see.” (cyclingnews.com<\/a>) This uncertainty is influenced by his personal life, as he and his partner, Roxanne Bertels, are expecting their first child in January, coinciding with the peak of the cyclocross season. (cyclismactu.net<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Despite this ambiguity, the cyclocross community remains optimistic. Laurens Sweeck, a leading figure in the sport, commented, “I think Mathieu is still somewhere that cross rider from before. Maybe the sponsors also expect him in the field. I expect him at least somewhere at the start. It might not be much, but I think we will see him.” (cyclismactu.net<\/a>)<\/p>\n

In contrast, Wout van Aert has confirmed his participation in the upcoming cyclocross season, providing a boost to the sport’s profile. (idlprocycling.com<\/a>) The return of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup to Britain for the first time since 2014, with a round scheduled for December 13, 2026, at Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, has also generated significant interest, with initial ticket sales surpassing 10,000. (cyclingweekly.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

As the cyclocross season approaches, all eyes will be on Van der Poel’s decision, which will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the competitive landscape.<\/p>\n

Highlights:<\/h2>\n