Starting from the 2022/2023 season, Mathieu Van der Poel has competed in 24 races and only lost once. These numbers are so fantastic that they might seem unreal, but not for the Dutch champion, who will most likely win a new world title on Sunday in Lievin, his seventh to be precise.

For the Dutch national team coach Gerben de Knegt, the Van der Poel we see right now is perhaps the best ever in cyclocross and therefore there's no need for a tactical analysis or briefing with the rest of the team.

"Of course, you can discuss tactics with him, but from experience, I know it's usually not necessary at all," De Knegt explained to the Dutch press. "If you watch Mathieu's races, you can easily see how good he is. He simply presses the accelerator and wins. I expect a difficult course in Liévin, and this will also be the best possible tactic."

Mathieu van der Poel is undoubtedly the dominant force in cyclocross, and the fact that van Aert will race on Sunday will be an extra motivation for him to perform even better.

For De Knegt, with a rider like this, there can only be one strategy: race hard from the start.

"He just needs to accelerate. Gain the maximum possible advantage as quickly as possible, that's the only thing to do. If something happens to your bike and you have a good lead, you have time to allow yourself something and stop for a bike change. I imagine he'll race like this on Sunday and create a gap."

Considering his results, we'll probably see Van der Poel chased only by Van Aert, but as the laps of the French circuit progress, the Dutchman will easily increase his advantage. "The only different thing that could happen is that he loses. And then there's that winning record waiting for him, and if he manages it, it would be fantastic. I checked the weather forecast for this weekend and saw that the ground will be heavy and it will be a tough race. So power and intelligence will decide the winner."

The Netherlands will present a strong team, where not only Van der Poel will be present, but other riders who can perform well. "Last year we already obtained an excellent second place with Joris Nieuwenhuis, and we also have Lars van der Haar and Pim Ronhaar. In other words, besides Mathieu, we can hope to reach the podium with other guys as well."