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Ever since Canyon founder Roman Arnold first witnessed the prowess of a young Dutch prodigy named Mathieu van der Poel, a clear and very simple plan was drawn up. Sign Mathieu, build the best bikes, win the biggest races, listen to his feedback, repeat.
Source: Press Release – Photos: Kristof Ramon
On the road, in gravel, and in mountain biking, Mathieu van der Poel is clearly one of the best in the world, but in cyclocross, he has gone a step further, inscribing his name in the history of the discipline. He is now on par with the greatest of all time – at least in terms of world championship titles. And for the majority of these victories, he not only rode the Inflite CFR but also contributed significantly to its development.
With his victory this weekend in Liévin, France, Mathieu’s seven world championship titles, won between 2015 and 2025, now place him on par with Erik de Vlaeminck, who won his titles between 1966 and 1973.
Speaking to NPO about what it means to equal Erik de Vlaeminck’s record, Mathieu said: “It’s a record that has stood for a very, very long time. When you start racing in the elite category, you hope to be [world champion] once, of course, but you never imagine being world champion seven times, so for me too, it’s something special.”
Seven World Titles, an Iconic Bike
Mathieu signed with Canyon at the end of 2017, which now gives him six world titles on the Inflite CFR, the Canyon Factory Racing bike with the iconic curved top tube, designed to excel in the muddy, grassy, and sandy conditions found in this discipline.
In his quest for greatness, Mathieu’s feedback on the Inflite CFR has led to improvements at all levels, creating an ultra-light benchmark bike that makes light work of even the toughest courses. His input into the bike’s design and his feedback during the development process have been instrumental in making the Inflite CFR a benchmark.
With perfectly predictable handling, an ultra-clean adjustable-width integrated CP0018 Aerocockpit, highly durable bearings, and a frame that reduces harshness and discomfort and offers ample tire clearance for shedding mud, the Inflite CFR is the bike of choice for the world’s best cyclocross pros, including, of course, other 2025 Cyclocross World Championship winners Tibor Del Grosso and Zoe Bäckstedt.
Del Grosso and Bäckstedt Shine in the U23 Category
Dutchman Del Grosso, who also happens to be Van der Poel’s teammate at Alpecin-Deceuninck, took the victory in the U23 category on Saturday to retain the title he had already won in 2024.
Bäckstedt also defended her U23 title with a victory on Sunday despite a heavy crash on the first lap. The CANYON//SRAM team rider opted for a lower tire pressure and quickly built a considerable lead to win her third world championship title and her second at the U23 level.
With three rainbow jerseys this weekend, as well as a multitude of World Cup victories and previous World Championship titles, Canyon’s Inflite CFR is one of the most victorious cyclocross bikes of all time.
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