Mathieu van der Poel: Dutch rider sets the record with his eighth world victory in cyclo-cross

Dutch cycling star Mathieu van der Poel set a new record by winning his eighth cycling title in Holst, Netherlands.

The 31-year-old beat his compatriot Tibor del Grosso by 35 seconds, surpassing the seven titles won by Belgian Eric de Vlaeminck in the 1960s and 1970s.

This is the fourth consecutive victory for Van der Poel, who also won in 2015, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and has already secured the World Cup title this season after finishing first in all eight races in which he participated.

“When I started, my absolute dream was to win a world championship at the elite level. And here I am now with eight titles. It is simply exceptional,” he said.

During his career, he also won world titles in gravel bike racing and road racing, and also won two stages of the Tour de France – both of which earned him the race’s yellow jersey.

In March, he will attempt to win a third Milan-San Remo title before going in April following his success in a record-breaking fourth Tour of Flanders and a record-equalling fourth crown at Paris-Roubaix.

In the women’s race on Saturday, Lucinda Brand achieved first, second and third place for the Netherlands.

Brand, who also won in 2021, recovered from a late fall to finish the race strongly, beating her compatriots Celine Alvarado and Bok Bitters.