Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch multi-discipline world champion, is shifting his focus to mountain biking after pulling out of the Tour de France due to pneumonia. Despite the setback, Van der Poel remains on track for one of his key goals this year: competing in the UCI Mountain Bike world championships in Valais, Switzerland.
Withdrawal from Tour de France
Van der Poel withdrew from the Tour de France after contracting pneumonia. He mentioned that staying healthy in a Grand Tour is challenging due to exposure to many people and less-than-ideal sleeping conditions. Van der Poel had been looking forward to key stages in the third week of the Tour, including the final stage in Paris.
Return to Racing
After a slow recovery and a training block in Spain, Van der Poel is easing back into race rhythm with the five-day Renewi Tour (August 20-24). Following this, he’ll focus entirely on mountain biking, targeting two significant cross-country races: the UCI world cup round in Les Gets, France (August 31), and the world championships in Valais (September 14). Both events are crucial for his goal of winning a mountain bike world championship title.
Preparation for Mountain Bike World Championships
Van der Poel’s participation in the Les Gets world cup is a critical step in determining his form for the world championships. With his technical skills, explosive power, and experience in multiple disciplines, Van der Poel is a contender despite his recent illness.
Upcoming Schedule
Van der Poel’s schedule leading up to the world championships includes:
– August 20-24: Renewi Tour (road)
– August 31: UCI MTB XCO world cup – Les Gets, France
– September 14: UCI MTB world championships – Valais, Switzerland
Van der Poel’s return to mountain biking highlights his versatility and ambition. Whether he succeeds in adding a mountain bike world championship title to his achievements, his comeback to off-road racing showcases his capabilities across different cycling disciplines.
