Dutchman continues unbeaten streak while Nys suffers heartbreaking crash in World Cup standings battle
Mathieu van der Poel delivered yet another masterclass performance at the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Zonhoven on Sunday, securing his ninth consecutive victory of the season on one of cyclocross's most challenging and iconic circuits. The reigning world champion demonstrated why he remains the sport's most formidable competitor, navigating the treacherous sandy slopes and technical sections with his characteristic power and precision.
The race unfolded on Zonhoven's legendary course, famous for its dramatic "De Kuil" – a natural sand pit that serves as both a spectacular viewing amphitheater for fans and a brutal test of riders' technical skills. The circuit's combination of deep sand, forest sections, and technical climbs creates one of the most demanding challenges in professional cyclocross, and Van der Poel once again proved himself perfectly suited to its demands.
World Cup Standings Shake-Up
The result carries significant implications for the overall World Cup classification. Entering the race, Belgian champion Thibau Nys held the provisional leader's jersey with 183 points, maintaining a slender 23-point advantage over Van der Poel, who had competed in fewer World Cup rounds. The stage was set for a crucial battle that could determine the trajectory of the remaining World Cup season.
With 40 points awarded to the race winner, Van der Poel's victory was expected to either close the gap substantially or potentially vault him into the overall lead, depending on where Nys finished. The 23-year-old Belgian needed at least a ninth-place finish to maintain his position atop the standings heading into the next round in Benidorm.
Nys's Misfortune Compounds
Unfortunately for Nys, the race turned into a nightmare scenario. While running in contention during the early laps, disaster struck on the fourth lap when the Belgian lost control on the icy, technical course. The crash sent him tumbling over the course barriers, and in the process, he broke the right side of his handlebars completely off, leaving him with a severely compromised bike.
Despite the setback, Nys demonstrated his fighting spirit by remounting and attempting to continue the race. However, he faced a significant distance to reach the pit area for a bike change, and by the time he received a replacement machine, he had plummeted down the standings. The Belgian champion ultimately salvaged a 19th-place finish, crossing the line more than three minutes behind the winner – a disappointing result that likely cost him the World Cup leader's jersey.
The Absence of Van Aert
The race notably proceeded without the presence of Wout van Aert, Van der Poel's long-time rival and one of cyclocross's biggest stars. What was anticipated as potentially the final showdown between the two generational talents in cyclocross competition never materialized, as Van Aert was forced to withdraw from the remainder of his cyclocross campaign following a heavy crash at the Exact Cross Mol on Friday, January 2.
The Belgian suffered a fractured ankle in that incident and underwent surgery on Saturday, bringing a premature end to his limited winter cyclocross schedule. Van Aert had been showing improved form leading up to the crash and was expressing optimism about his condition, making the injury particularly unfortunate timing. His absence not only affected the competitive dynamic in Zonhoven but also means the cycling world will miss out on what could have been historic final battles between two of the sport's greatest ever cyclocross riders.
Looking Ahead
With three World Cup rounds remaining – Benidorm, Maasmechelen, and Hoogerheide – before the World Championships in Hulst on February 1, the overall classification battle has taken on new dimensions. Van der Poel's Zonhoven victory and Nys's disappointing result likely means the Dutchman has moved into the lead or at minimum significantly closed the gap in the overall standings.
The upcoming Benidorm round on January 18 will provide the next chapter in this developing story, as Nys attempts to bounce back from his Zonhoven disappointment and Van der Poel seeks to extend his perfect season. With Van der Poel racing on home soil for the World Championships and chasing his eighth elite cyclocross world title – which would break the all-time record he currently shares with Erik De Vlaeminck – the stakes continue to rise with each passing race.
For now, Van der Poel's dominance shows no signs of waning, and the cyclocross world continues to witness what may be one of the most impressive single-season performances in the sport's history.
Men Elite Individual Standings - January 4th, 2026 via UCI