Van der Poel romps to record eighth cyclo-cross world title
Dutch cycling giant Mathieu van der Poel won a record eighth world cyclo-cross title at Hulst in the Netherlands on Sunday.
Van der Poel bettered the record of seven world titles originally set by Belgian Eric De Vlaeminck, a cyclo-cross star of the 1960s and 70s.
Another Dutch rider Tibor Del Grosso was second on the four lap race at 35 seconds and the Belgian Thibau Nys was third at 55.
The 31-year-old Van der Poel has world titles in mountain biking and road racing and has not only won stages on the Tour de France, but also worn the leader's yellow jersey.
He has already won a second cyclo-cross World Cup this season after winning all eight -- out of 12 -- of the races he entered.
In March he will try to win a third Milan-San Remo before in April going after a record-breaking fourth Tour of Flanders success and a record-equalling fourth crown at Paris-Roubaix.
In the summer, he will then aim to add to his two previous Tour de France stage wins.
(A.Stefanowych--DTZ)