Overview
- The Dutch star won by 35 seconds over teammate Tibor del Grosso, with Belgium's Thibau Nys third after 26.1 km.
- The eighth cross crown puts him clear of Eric De Vlaeminck's mark and lifts his career world titles across disciplines to nine.
- Chief rival Wout van Aert did not start after an ankle fracture sustained in early January.
- He has not decided whether to continue in cyclocross, signaling interest in focusing on mountain biking with an eye on the 2028 Olympics.
- Lucinda Brand took the women's title ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Puck Pieterse in an all-Dutch podium.