![\"Van](\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mvdp.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nVan der Poel’s earnings this winter show there’s a lot more to CX than a muddy field and the smell of frites.<\/p>\n
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(Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Updated December 30, 2025 07:37AM<\/p>\n
Mathieu van der Poel<\/a> is raking in cash as fast as he\u2019s raking in victories in his winter cyclocross joyride.<\/p>\n According to Het Nieuwsblad<\/a>, the Dutch dominator has already won \u20ac21,750 ($25,600) from CX this off-season.<\/p>\n With six victories in six, Van der Poel is cashing an average of \u20ac3,625 per race. And with some \u2018crosses finishing in as little as 50 minutes, that\u2019s an hourly rate that would do an elite legal partner proud.<\/p>\n OK, so cyclocross isn\u2019t the biggest money-spinner in pro cycling.<\/p>\n Winning a stage at the Tour de France banks \u20ac11,000<\/a> ($13,000). Taking the cobblestone trophy at Paris-Roubaix \u2013 something MVDP has done three times \u2013 earns a chunky \u20ac30,000 paycheck<\/a> ($35,300).<\/p>\n In reality, \u20ac21,750 is loose change for \u201cMr. \u20ac4.0 million per year\u201d MVDP.<\/p>\n However, his CX haul shows there\u2019s a lot more to the Belgian winter than a bunch of muddy fields and beer tents.<\/p>\n Van der Poel the most efficient earner in CX The bulk of Van der Poel\u2019s winter cash-grab comes from the UCI World Cup. The premier \u2018cross series dishes out \u20ac5,000 for a win.<\/p>\n MVDP has already hoovered $20k by winning four World Cups, and he could earn a further \u20ac15k from the three that remain on his 2025-26 schedule.<\/p>\n The remaining \u20ac1,750 in Van der Poel\u2019s purse comes from \u20ac1,400 for Monday\u2019s win in Loenhout, and \u20ac350 his rout of Hofstade last week. The superstar of CX will likely have bagged some undisclosed appearance fees, too.<\/p>\n While Van der Poel\u2019s earnings are impressive, he hasn\u2019t actually won the most of the men\u2019s field.<\/p>\n Thibau Nys and Michael Vanthourenhout top the charts at \u20ac25,110 and \u20ac22,255 respectively, albeit after starting 13 and 21 races.<\/p>\n Cyclocross loose change The prizes on offer in cyclocross are significantly smaller than on the road.<\/p>\n However, riders like Van der Poel, Nys, and Wout van Aert will likely see a larger proportion of their CX winnings deposited into their bank accounts.<\/p>\n For example, Van der Poel would split his earnings from the Tour de France across seven Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates and scores of team staff. In cyclocross, he might be supported by only a small handful of team mechanics, soigneurs, and a press officer.<\/p>\n Plus, let\u2019s not forget the 30-year-old lover of luxury typically drives himself to these backwater Belgian fields in a Lamborghini<\/a>.<\/p>\n CX serves him fast, easy cash.<\/p>\n Spectator apologizes after \u2018unintentional\u2019 handlebar swipe Van der Poel is using the early CX season to tune his engine for a shot at a record-breaking eighth world title. The winter intensity also puts rockets in his heels for his spring showdowns with Tadej Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n And he really is making \u2018cross look like a training camp with his incredible dominance.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s not always without drama.<\/p>\n He was \u201cvaped\u201d last week in Hofstade<\/a> and knocked off-balance<\/a> by the hand of an over-excited spectator on Monday in Loenhout.<\/p>\n The offending CX fan apologized to MVDP after the race on Monday.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Thibau](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2253053451.jpg\"\/)
Thibau Nys has won most this winter but has raced twice as much as MVDP. (Photo: Marcel van Dorst\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\n![\"Van](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2252543974.jpg\"\/)
Van der Poel\u2019s winnings in CX are loose change vs. the road, but he will likely receive a larger proportion of them. (Photo: JASPER JACOBS \/ Belga \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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Van der Poel\u2019s race was almost derailed by a fan swiping at his handlebars. (Photo: Discovery \/ TNT)<\/p>\n