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Mathieu Van Der Poel Vs Wout Van Aert. The titans are back in the mud, but they are returning to a kingdom that has a new ruler.
While Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Wout Van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) have been resting, the 2025/26 season has been dominated by one man: Thibau Nys. (Also racing Road UCI WorldTour with Lidl-Trek 2026)
The young Belgian, and current UCI World Number 1, has ruthlessly capitalized on their absence, racking up wins and an insurmountable points lead. Now, the “Big Two” return with different agendas. MVDP is hunting a record-breaking Rainbow Jersey in Hulst. Wout is on a short, sharp “hit-and-run” campaign. And Nys? He is fighting to prove he can hold the throne when the true Kings are in town.
With only 5 confirmed showdowns between the trio, every race matters. Here is the complete schedule and the tool you need to stream the battles for free.
The “Big Three” Showdown Schedule
Mark these dates. This is the only time Van Der Poel and Van Aert, and the world Number 1 (Nys) will share the mud this winter.
| Date | Race | Series | The Conflict |
| Dec 20 | Antwerp | World Cup | Round 1: The first confirmed meeting on the sand. |
| Dec 22 | Hofstade | X2O Trofee | A fast, technical battle just days later. |
| Dec 29 | Loenhout | X2O Trofee | The classic “Azencross” under the lights. |
| Jan 2 | Mol | Exact Cross | The sandy Zilvermeercross favored by MVDP. |
| Jan 4 | Zonhoven | World Cup | The Final Clash: The famous “De Kuil” sand pit could be their last battle of the season. |
The Third King: Thibau Nys
The 2023 U23 World Champion has evolved into the Elite boss.
Thibau Nys isn’t just filling a void; he is dominating it. Having swept the early World Cups, he sits comfortably atop the UCI Rankings.
Can he hold on? The pressure is now entirely on him. While MVDP and WVA can treat these races as training, Nys has to defend his status. His bronze medal at the 2025 Worlds proved he can podium behind them, but 2026 is the year he tries to beat them straight up.
The MVDP Masterplan (13 Races)
Target: The Rainbow Jersey in Hulst.
Mathieu Van Der Poel is skipping the fluff. His 13-race calendar is designed for one thing: peak condition for the World Championships in Hulst on Feb 1.
As Mathieu van der Poel returns to the mud in Namur, all eyes will be on his form and his machine. He is debuting a new metallic silver Canyon Inflite CF SLX (see the full 2025 specs here) that features some interesting mechanical changes.
The Ranking Math: Can MVDP retake the World #1 spot from Nys? Mathematically, it is possible but difficult. He would need to win almost every race he enters (replicating his near-perfect 2024/25 season). However, his real goal isn’t points; it’s grid position. These 13 races will easily secure him a front-row start to defend his title.
- Dec 14: Namur (World Cup) Provisional
- Dec 20: Antwerp (World Cup)
- Dec 21: Koksijde (World Cup)
- Dec 22: Hofstade (X2O)
- Dec 26: Gavere (World Cup)
- Dec 29: Loenhout (X2O)
- Jan 1: Baal (X2O)
- Jan 2: Mol (Exact Cross)
- Jan 4: Zonhoven (World Cup)
- Jan 18: Benidorm (World Cup)
- Jan 24: Maasmechelen (World Cup)
- Jan 25: Hoogerheide (World Cup)
- Feb 1: UCI World Championships, Hulst (NED)
The Wout van Aert “Cameo” (8 Races)
Target: Sharpness for the Spring Classics.
Wout is keeping it brief. He finishes his season at the Belgian Nationals (Jan 11), meaning he will likely skip the Worlds in Hulst. Enjoy him while you can—he is here to disrupt, not to conquer. See Wout Van Aert Bike size here.
Dec 20 – Jan 11: Focused block ending at Belgian Nationals.
How to Watch Global Coverage (The “Digital Passport” Hack)
The Problem: If you are outside of Europe, you are likely blocked from watching the official, high-quality streams from the sport’s home countries. You might be stuck paying $150/year for a local provider that simply restreams the European feed anyway.
The Solution: Use a VPN to digitally transport your device to a country where the race is broadcast on public television. This isn’t about avoiding payment; it’s about accessing the authentic coverage from the source.
The Best Free-to-Air Channels (Geo-Blocked):
- RTBF Auvio (Belgium): The French-speaking Belgian broadcaster. They cover almost every major race. You just need a free account and a Belgian IP address.
- L’Equipe TV (France): Excellent coverage of the World Cup series. Requires a French IP address.
- UCI YouTube Channel: In countries without a TV deal (like Czechia or Portugal), the UCI streams the World Cups live on YouTube for free. A VPN lets you switch your location to one of these “Dark Markets” to unlock the official stream.
The 3-Step Setup
- Get a VPN: You need one that is fast enough for HD streaming.
- Choose Your Destination: Connect to Brussels (for RTBF) or Paris (for L’Equipe).
- Enjoy the Race: The geo-block disappears, and you are live.
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Who Wins the Winter?
With Wout van Aert skipping the Worlds to focus on his road ambitions, the rainbow jersey in Hulst looks destined for Mathieu’s shoulders, or Nys? But for those five days between December 20 and January 4, the record books don’t matter. It’s just two rivals, one sand pit, and 60 minutes of pain.
Will you be watching Mathieu Van Der Poel vs Wout van Aert?