Cycling superstar Mathieu van der Poel has signaled his return to mountain biking, posting on social media about his excitement to be back on his Canyon Lux with the caption, “Always good to be back on the Lux. Two more weeks to sharpen the tools.” The Dutch rider’s statement has sparked anticipation among fans as he prepares for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, set for September 16-21, 2025, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Van der Poel’s return to the Canyon Lux, a bike he famously piloted to thrilling victories in the 2019 and 2021 Nove Mesto World Cup XC races, comes after a challenging 2025 season. The versatile rider, known for his dominance in road, cyclocross, and mountain biking, suffered a wrist fracture in a double crash at the Nove Mesto World Cup in May, which forced him to withdraw from the Critérium du Dauphiné and disrupted his summer schedule. Despite the setback, van der Poel was back on the indoor trainer within days, showcasing his relentless drive.
His recent post suggests a focused preparation period, with the “two more weeks to sharpen the tools” hinting at intense training to fine-tune his form for the World Championships. Van der Poel has made no secret of his ambition to claim his first mountain bike world title, a goal he outlined earlier this year on Olympics.com. “It’s something I really want to achieve,” he said, also noting his long-term plan to target Olympic glory at Los Angeles 2028.
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider. After a stellar spring, including a commanding performance at the E3 Saxo Classic, van der Poel faced adversity with a pneumonia diagnosis that forced him to withdraw from the Tour de France after wearing the yellow jersey and winning a stage in the opening week. Despite the disappointment, he bounced back, finishing third in a chaotic stage in Toulouse, where he admitted to misjudging the winning break.
Van der Poel’s return to mountain biking has reignited discussions about his versatility, with comparisons to rival Tom Pidcock, who recently acknowledged the Dutchman’s edge in multi-discipline racing. “Mathieu is far ahead of me,” Pidcock told Cyclingnews, citing van der Poel’s eight monument wins and world titles in cyclocross, gravel, and road. Fans on social media have echoed this sentiment, with one X post stating, “MvDP on the Lux is a cheat code. World Champs better watch out!”
The Canyon Lux, featured in a 2021 Pinkbike bike check for its role in van der Poel’s thrilling Nove Mesto sprint finish, remains his weapon of choice for mountain biking. Its lightweight design and agility suit his aggressive riding style, which he’ll need to navigate the demanding Crans-Montana course. With two weeks to go, van der Poel’s focus on “sharpening the tools” suggests a meticulous approach to bike setup and physical conditioning.
As the cycling world awaits the Championships, van der Poel’s competitors, including Pidcock and Nino Schurter, face a formidable challenge. His return to the Lux and renewed focus could make him the rider to beat.
