Mathieu van der Poel Confirmed for Critérium du Dauphiné Following Wrist Fracture…

Mathieu van der Poel Confirmed for Critérium du Dauphiné Following Wrist Fracture…

 

Mathieu van der Poel has officially been confirmed to start the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné, marking a significant milestone in his recovery following a wrist fracture sustained earlier in the season. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has been out of competition since his crash at the Amstel Gold Race in April, where he suffered a non-displaced fracture to his left scaphoid. After several weeks of rehabilitation and a cautious return to training, Van der Poel is set to make his comeback in the French WorldTour stage race, which begins this weekend.

The news was confirmed by his team on Friday morning, with a brief statement: “Mathieu has been training pain-free for several weeks and has received full medical clearance. He will line up at the Critérium du Dauphiné as part of his planned build-up to the Tour de France.” The Dutchman’s inclusion in the Dauphiné roster signals not only his return to racing but also a key step in his preparation for a busy summer campaign, including a possible tilt at Olympic gold in Paris.

Van der Poel, who is known for his versatility across road, cyclocross, and mountain bike disciplines, had been enjoying a strong classics season before his injury. His dominant performance at the Tour of Flanders and second place at Milan–San Remo had positioned him as one of the standout riders of the spring. The injury came as a frustrating setback, but his recovery appears to have gone smoothly.

“I’m really happy to be back on the bike and racing again,” Van der Poel said in a short video posted by Alpecin-Deceuninck. “The Dauphiné will be a test, of course. I’m not coming in with high expectations for results, but I want to get back into the rhythm of racing, work for the team, and build towards my main goals in July.”

The Critérium du Dauphiné, often seen as a dress rehearsal for the Tour de France, offers Van der Poel a challenging but manageable return. The eight-stage race features a mix of hilly and mountainous terrain, as well as time trial kilometers, which should provide a solid test of both form and endurance without excessive pressure for results.

Team Alpecin-Deceuninck has not confirmed whether Van der Poel will be targeting stage wins, but insiders suggest he may be given freedom on select days, particularly in the punchy mid-mountain stages where his explosive power is most effective. More likely, the race will serve as a tune-up and a chance for Van der Poel to reintegrate into the team’s tactics after his absence.

With the Tour de France only a few weeks away and the Olympic Games looming, Van der Poel’s return at the Dauphiné will be closely watched. While he may not be at peak condition just yet, his presence alone adds an extra layer of excitement to an already competitive race. Fans and rivals alike will be eager to see how quickly the Dutch star can return to his best.