Mathieu van der Poel (Correndopn-Circus) has accumulated an amazing 33 consecutive wins on the international cyclocross circuit, dating back to the Jaarmarktcross on November 10, 2018.

The two-time and reigning UCI Cyclocross World Champion started from 24th on the third row at Sunday's World Cup Round 5 in Koksijde and, despite an early crash behind him, took the lead by the end of the first lap to add to his 33 consecutive wins. 2nd place He finished the race 25 seconds ahead of Lawrence Sweck and 35 seconds ahead of third-place Toon Arts.

The European champion's most recent victory follows his win at the fourth round of the World Cup in Tabor, Czech Republic, last weekend, his victory at the DVV Verzekeringen trofee Flandriencross the following day, and his victory at Saturday's Ambiancecross

The team's first win of the season was at the Flandriencross.

Van der Pol's last defeat dates back to the 2018 Koppenberg Cross on a hilly Belgian course that tackles the famous cobbled climb used in road classics. Van der Pol struggled in this race in 2016, but won it in 2017. However, the 2018 race was another unlucky day for the Dutchman, who lost contact with the leading group on the second lap and eventually finished 21st.

Van der Pol skipped the Koppencross that year and started his 2019-20 run with a win two days later at Rudervoorde, ahead of Sweek and Aerts.

The 25-year-old Corendon Circus rider turned his attention to the road in a more coordinated fashion this year, winning the Amstel Gold, Brabantste Peel, Dwar door Hlaanderen, Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, and Grand Prix de Dunant classics to great acclaim He also won a stage at the Arctic Race in Norway and three stages and the overall at the Tour of Britain.

Van der Pol competed in the UCI Road World Championships as a road race winner, but struggled on the difficult Yorkshire course and finished 34th.

Wout Van Aert, a three-time world champion in cross and Van der Poel's main rival, suffered a serious crash in the Tour de France time trial and suffered deep lacerations to his legs, which kept him out of competition.

Van der Poel's return to cross and the results he has achieved means that he now leads the UCI ranking, but young Belgian Elie Yzerbito holds the lead over Aerts in the World Cup standings with four races remaining.

The next rounds of the World Cup are the sixth round in Namur on December 22, Heusden-Zolder on December 26, Normay on January 19, and the final round in Hogelheid on January 27.

The 2020 UCI Cyclocross World Championships will be held in early February in Dübendorf, Switzerland.