Paul Herygers expects Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel to race

Cyclocross fans waiting for Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel to enter the mud can expect both superstars to race this winter, according to former world champion and co-commentator Paul Herygers. Speaking at the season’s opening weekend in Dendermonde on October 12, 2026, Herygers pushed back against widespread doubts about their winter schedules.

Herygers Forecasts Van Aert’s Swift Return to the Mud

The road season concluded just as the official cyclocross calendar began, creating a seamless transition that left supporters waiting for the sport’s biggest names. Addressing the perennial question of when Van Aert will pin on a number, Herygers expressed absolute certainty.

“He has had a great road season behind him, but I think he won’t hesitate too long,” Herygers told Sporza. Noting that cross is not overly taxing for someone of Van Aert’s immense talent, Herygers suggested the Belgian standout might be the first of the two rivals to return.

Weighing Paternity Against the Pull of Competition

Van der Poel’s intentions remain far less certain. The Dutch multi-discipline star has publicly indicated he might skip the winter entirely, partly because he expects to become a father in January.

Herygers dismissed those doubts entirely, telling WielerFlits that he knows of no rider who would genuinely prefer babysitting to racing. He predicted that once Van der Poel has traveled, played golf, and recovered from his demanding season—which included high-level racing at the World Championships in Canada—he will return to approximately five cyclocross events, culminating in the World Championships.

Wellens Slams UCI for Calendar Engineering

While analysts debate the exact timeline of the superstars’ returns, the broader cyclocross structure is also facing intense scrutiny from within the sport. Former world champion Bart Wellens launched a sharp critique against the International Cycling Union (UCI) in his analysis for Het Nieuwsblad, arguing that the governing body adjusted the calendar too heavily to accommodate Van der Poel and Van Aert.

Paul Herygers expects Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel to race — Photo: Wielerkrant.be

Wellens pointed out that the UCI World Cup now comprises 12 events packed tightly into roughly two months. The series starts in late November and concludes just a week before the world title races. This compressed window forces riders and teams to make difficult strategic choices regarding rest and preparation.

Points Pressure Tests WorldTour Ambitions

Furthermore, a revised points system has elevated the importance of the World Cup standings. Because these points now count directly toward team rankings, Wellens noted that squads fighting for a place in the WorldTour—such as Lotto-Intermarché featuring riders like Toon Aerts—may need to treat cyclocross with much greater strategic urgency.

As teams weigh individual victories against collective ranking points, the winter schedule promises to test both the physical limits of the athletes and the tactical priorities of their management.

Attention Shifts to Late November

With Herygers having kicked off his traditional commentary duties in Dendermonde and riders finalizing their winter blocks, attention now turns to the official World Cup launch in late November to see when the sport’s marquee names officially confirm their first start lists.