Mathieu van der Poel did exactly what the crowd expected at the 2026 UCI Cyclocross World Championships on home soil. Then he did it faster.

The Dutch superstar powered away after just ten minutes to claim an eighth cyclocross world title in Hulst, a new men’s record that matches the mark set by Marianne Vos on the women’s side. Once he went, the race for gold was over.

The start was not perfect. Van der Poel missed his first pedal stroke and did not hit the front. That early honor went to compatriot Tibor Del Grosso, who led through the opening half lap. Thibau Nys was the only rider able to bridge across, clawing his way back with a hard effort before the end of lap one.

But midway through lap two, Van der Poel stood up and pressed the throttle. Nys tried to respond. Del Grosso tried too. Both cracked within seconds.

Ten minutes in, the elastic snapped.

Van der Poel rode clear and never looked back, carving smooth lines through the sand and mud as the home crowd roared. Behind him, the race changed shape. Del Grosso and Nys locked into a private duel for silver, riding shoulder to shoulder while the gap to the leader grew with every turn.

In the end, Del Grosso edged Nys for second after a long battle, leaving the Belgian to settle for bronze.

Up front, Van der Poel rode alone, calm and untouchable, adding an eighth rainbow jersey to a career that keeps rewriting the sport’s record books.

“It’s special. When I started cycling, the dream was to become world champion one day in the elite category,” Van der Poel said. “To now having the most titles of all time, it’s incredible.

"Maybe last weekend I felt a bit stronger [winning at Hoogerheide and Maasmechelen], this course was completely different.

“I tried to manage my bike and my tires as good as possible to be sure that a mechanical didn’t ruin the party. I did what I had to do and I’m really happy that it all worked out.”