As the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships approach, the spotlight turns to the most talented riders. Whether through their impressive records, recent performances, or ability to shine on the toughest courses, they are ready to battle for the world title.
An overview of the main favorites and key figures. Elite Men and Elite Women.
Mathieu Van der Poel (NED)
Born on January 19, 1995, in Kapellen, Belgium, Mathieu Van der Poel needs no introduction. The son of Adri Van der Poel and grandson of cycling legend Raymond Poulidor, “MVDP” is an international star, a spectacular athlete, and an exceptional champion. He has claimed victory in some of the most prestigious road races, including the World Championships, Milan-San Remo, and Paris-Roubaix.
In cyclo-cross, Van der Poel is a six-time (!) world champion and the reigning titleholder, making him the undisputed master of the discipline. With precise and subtle bike handling, sheer power, and dragster-like acceleration, he is the overwhelming favorite to win again.
Wout Van Aert (BEL)
Born on September 15, 1994, Wout Van Aert is the other star of these World Championships. A prodigy and an athlete as elegant as he is effective, WVA is the eternal rival of MVDP, both on the road and in the mud.
His record speaks for itself, with major victories on the road (Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, Gent-Wevelgem, and 9 Tour de France stage wins) as well as in cyclo-cross (three-time world champion). He is the only rider whose raw power rivals that of Van der Poel.
Michael Vanthourenhout (BEL)
Born on December 10, 1993, he stands as one of the most prominent specialists in the discipline, just behind the two giants of the sport. On muddy terrain, his instinct and ability to read the lines are exceptional — as evidenced by his recent victory in the Namur World Cup round. He also excels in bike-to-run transitions, showcasing impressive versatility.
His talent was evident from his junior years : in his first year at Koksijde, he completed a lap as fast as the best Elite time ! In 2018, he claimed the silver medal at the Valkenburg World Championships, finishing behind WVA and ahead of MVDP. Last year in Tabor, he secured a strong third place.
Joris Nieuwenhuis (NED)
Born on February 11, 1996, the 2024 Dutch champion and silver medalist in Tabor made a late-season debut this year. A rider of impressive stature, he may lack the finesse of the previous two, but his raw power makes him a formidable contender.
Toon Aerts (BEL)
Born on October 19, 1993, he combines almost as much power as Nieuwenhuis with nearly the same technical finesse as Vanthourenhout. This tall and slender rider, a former European champion (2016) and two-time World Cup winner (2019 and 2020), thrives on slippery and sticky courses, where his skills truly shine.
Laurens Sweeck (BEL)
Born on December 17, 1993, this powerful Belgian rider, with a solid build, has a particular fondness for sandy courses. However, he is less comfortable when significant elevation changes come into play.
Eli Iserbyt (BEL)
Born on October 22, 1997, his talent for cyclo-cross became evident early on. He dominated the junior category and, in 2016, became the youngest U23 world champion — a title he claimed again in 2018. In 2020, he was crowned Elite European Champion and is a four-time World Cup overall winner. A key contender in every World Cup and “Superprestige” series, Iserbyt leverages his small stature and explosiveness to excel. On technical and hilly circuits, he is simply unstoppable.
Thibau Nys (BEL)
Born on November 12, 2002, Thibau, the son of Sven Nys — a living legend of 2000s cyclo-cross — carries the hopes of the Belgian nation as one of its brightest young talents. Officially competing in the Elite category this season after moving up from U23, Thibau boasts a formidable sprint and has achieved significant success on the road. In 2024 alone, he claimed six World Tour stage victories : three at the Tour of Poland, two at the Tour of Hungary, and one at the Tour de Romandie. His punchy style draws comparisons to Van Aert, making him already a very serious contender.
Pim Ronhaar (NED)
Born on July 20, 2001, he is tall, powerful, and an excellent bike handler, with a particular affinity for muddy courses. Known for his exceptional running ability, he is likely the fastest in the field when it comes to transitions.
Niels Vandeputte (BEL)
Born on September 19, 2000, he thrives on dynamic, fast-paced courses.
Lars Van der Haar (NED)
Born on July 23, 1991, Van der Haar is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but he is a seasoned rider with a deep understanding of his strengths. His excellent race management allows him to finish strongly, often making a decisive impact in the final stages. When he’s in the top 5 halfway through the race, this explosive puncher is never far from the winner at the finish line.
Clément Venturini (FRA)
Born on October 16, 1993, the six-time French champion has been dominant on the national circuit and will be eager to shine in front of his home crowd. With strong technical skills and excellent explosiveness, Venturini is considered one of the main outsiders in the competition.
Felipe Orts (ESP)
A Spaniard with a deep love for Belgium and the Netherlands, Orts first gained attention in 2017 when he became U23 world vice-champion, finishing behind Joris Nieuwenhuis. Since then, he has claimed the Spanish championship title six times. Known for his solid technical skills, Orts has steadily improved, often playing a leading role on the World Cup circuit. Recently, he earned a silver medal at the European Championships.
Fem Van Empel (NED)
Born on September 3, 2002, at just 22 years old, the already two-time world champion (and reigning titleholder) transitioned to cycling from football, a sport she practiced until the age of 15. As a result, she is incredibly fast on foot — and a good stride also means an economical stride. This helps preserve her immense power. On her good days, Van Empel gradually builds momentum over the course of the race, wearing down her opponents until they crack.
Puck Pieterse (NED)
Born on May 13, 2002, she was not even 17 when she won her first Elite cyclo-cross race, a testament to her immense talent. She excels equally in both XCO mountain biking and cyclo-cross; in fact, she won a world title in mountain biking and two European Championship titles. That same year, she also reached the podium at the cyclo-cross World Championships. In terms of bike handling, Pieterse plays on the edge, taking risks and pushing the limits.
Lucinda Brand (NED)
Born on July 2, 1989, Brand started her career as a road cyclist before transitioning to cyclo-cross later in her career. In many ways, she belongs to a bygone era — the level of technical skills required today demands an early start. However, she still faces some technical challenges, particularly when it comes to lines and handling, which she attempts to address by doing course recon with the legendary Sven Nys. Though her starts are sometimes shaky, she often makes remarkable comebacks, relying on her exceptional physical qualities. Brand became world champion in 2021 and has finished as runner-up three times and third three times as well.
Ceylin Alvarado (NED)
Born on August 6, 1998, the Dutch rider of Dominican descent started cyclo-cross at the age of ten. Even today, she travels to races with her family, with her father serving as her mechanic. In 2020, at the age of 22, she had a perfect season, claiming the titles of Dutch, European, and World Champion. She also won the 2024 World Cup. A versatile rider, she is known for her impressive sprinting ability.
