Hoogerheide, Netherlands 25 Jan 2026 Class CDM – World Cup
Website www.ucicyclocrossworldcup.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
As of January 25, 2026, the 2025–2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup season has concluded with the final round in Hoogerheide.
Mathieu van der Poel and Lucinda Brand have been crowned the overall champions for the Elite Men and Elite Women categories, respectively.
Elite Men’s Standings (Final)
Mathieu van der Poel secured the title after a dominant season, winning every World Cup round he entered, including the finale in Hoogerheide.
| Rank | Rider | Nationality | Points |
| 1 | Mathieu van der Poel | 🇳🇱 NED | 280 |
| 2 | Thibau Nys | 🇧🇪 BEL | 242 |
| 3 | Niels Vandeputte | 🇧🇪 BEL | 222 |
| 4 | Michael Vanthourenhout | 🇧🇪 BEL | 212 |
| 5 | Laurens Sweeck | 🇧🇪 BEL | 201 |
Elite Women’s Standings (Final)
Lucinda Brand showcased incredible consistency throughout the 12-round series, clinching the title with several rounds to spare.
| Rank | Rider | Nationality | Points |
| 1 | Lucinda Brand | 🇳🇱 NED | 366 |
| 2 | Aniek van Alphen | 🇳🇱 NED | 255 |
| 3 | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado | 🇳🇱 NED | 234 |
| 4 | Amandine Fouquenet | 🇫🇷 FRA | 210 |
| 5 | Puck Pieterse | 🇳🇱 NED | 195 |
Season Highlights
- Historical Milestone: With his win in Hoogerheide, Mathieu van der Poel reached 51 career World Cup victories, surpassing the previous record held by Belgian legend Sven Nys.
- Dutch Dominance: The Netherlands dominated the podiums in both categories, particularly in the Women’s Elite where Dutch riders occupied the top three spots in the final standings.
- U23 Champions: David Haverdings (Men) and Leonie Bentveld (Women) took the honors in the Under-23 categories.
Hoogerheide is the undisputed crown jewel of the cyclo-cross world. Formally known as the Grand Prix Adrie van der Poel, this race is steeped in family legacy and is historically the final stop of the World Cup season.
The Origin: A Farewell Tribute (2000)
The race was born out of a retirement party. In 2000, the legendary Adrie van der Poel (former World Champion and father of Mathieu) was ending his professional career. A farewell race was organized in his home village of Hoogerheide.
The event was such a massive success that it became an annual fixture. Adrie himself designed the original course and still manages the technical layout today, constantly tweaking it to challenge the modern generation.
A Championship Venue
Hoogerheide isn’t just a World Cup staple; it is one of the preferred hosts for the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. It has hosted the rainbow jersey battle three times:
- 2009: Won by Niels Albert (Men) and Marianne Vos (Women).
- 2014: Won by Zdeněk Štybar (Men) and Marianne Vos (Women).
- 2023: Won by Mathieu van der Poel (Men) in an iconic duel against Wout van Aert, and Fem van Empel (Women).
The Course: “The Brabantse Wal”
The track is famous for its speed and the natural elevation of the Brabantse Wal (the Wall of Brabant). Key features include:
- The Stairway to Heaven: A brutal set of 36 stairs near the end of the lap that often decides the race.
- The Scheldeweg: A long, paved false-flat finish where many tactical sprints have unfolded.
- The Muddy Meadows: Low-lying fields that can turn into a thick, sticky bog if it rains, forcing riders to run long sections.
The Van der Poel Hegemony
No name is more synonymous with Hoogerheide than Van der Poel. Not only is it named after the father, but Mathieu van der Poel has dominated this course like no other.
Just yesterday (January 25, 2026), Mathieu made history at this very venue. By winning his home race, he secured his 51st career World Cup victory, officially breaking the long-standing record held by the “Cannibal of Baal,” Sven Nys.
| Key Record | Holder | Stat |
| Most World Cup Wins (All-time) | Mathieu van der Poel | 51 (as of Jan 2026) |
| Most GP Hoogerheide Wins (Men) | Mathieu van der Poel | 8 Wins |
| Most GP Hoogerheide Wins (Women) | Marianne Vos | 7 Wins (inc. 2 World Titles) |
With the World Cup season now concluded at Hoogerheide, the focus shifts to the World Championships in Hulst next week.
