Mathieu van der Poel has reached a record-breaking eighth cyclocross World title this past January, and has strongly hinted at potentially not racing in the discipline this upcoming winter - or ever again. However amongst the doubters is Niels Albert, one of the most vocal voices in the cyclocross world.

"I don’t think he’ll skip the World Championships," the two-time World Champion said in words to De Zondag. Albert does not believe that van der Poel in fact even be absent from the current cyclocross season, which has in the meantime witnessed the start of the Superprestige Cup - the X2O Badkamers Trofee will begin this Sunday with the Koppenbergcross.

"I believe he wants to become a ten-time world champion, placing his name alongside that of Nino Schurter—who won ten world titles in mountain biking—and joining the ranks of Stefan Everts, who also secured ten world titles in motocross."

Whilst such an achievement would cement van der Poel's place in history even further, it could prove costly in the long-run throughout his last years on the bike. The Dutchman is already a sole title holder in the discipline, but could put out a record that could remain unbeatable for decades.

But Albert believes there is a reason why he could aim for 10: "If you piece the puzzle together: should he win in Ostend, he could potentially secure that tenth title in iconic Hoogerheide". The Dutch cross is organized by his father Adrie van der Poel, and could prove to be the crowning jewel on van der Poel's illustrious career.

"That might well end up being his very last race. In any case, I don’t see Mathieu continuing to race in the field until he’s forty."

Mathieu van der Poel in action at the 2026 Montreal World Championships

What could Mathieu van der Poel's cyclocross schedule look like?

But of course, it is a big *if*. The Alpecin - Premier Tech rider has been honest about his full focus on the road from this season onwards, whilst he is also expected to become a father next January. Both could see him skip the cyclocross World Championships for the first time in years.

"They are already racing on the road all year round, where they are under constant pressure. Ultimately, they create their own schedules—who are we to say whether Pidcock or Van der Poel should race more or less," Albert aknowledges.

For the Belgian, it is already a privilege to be living through such historic times, with van der Poel and Wout Van Aert ruling over the cyclocross world over the past decade.

"We should just be glad that they still show up in the field from time to time and that we get the chance to admire them," he concluded. "They could just as easily say 'so long, thanks for everything' and stop participating altogether."