Mathieu van der Poel is no stranger to balancing multiple cycling disciplines, but 2025 has tested him more than most years. Only a few weeks after abandoning the Tour de France with pneumonia, the Dutch all-round world champion confirmed he is still aiming for one of his biggest goals of the season: the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Valais, Switzerland.
“Staying healthy through a Grand Tour is never easy,” Van der Poel said in his first public comments since leaving the Tour. “You meet a lot of people, and the hotels aren’t always the best for rest. Sadly, this year it caught up with me.” He admitted he had been eyeing several big opportunities in the Tour’s final week, including Paris, but said, “There’s nothing we can do about it now.”
Building back carefully
After taking time to recover and train in Spain, Van der Poel is using the five-day Renewi Tour (Aug. 20–24) to sharpen his racing legs before turning full attention to mountain biking. His schedule features two critical cross-country events: the UCI World Cup round in Les Gets, France (Aug. 31), followed by the World Championships in Valais (Sept. 14).
His participation in Les Gets is no soft re-entry—it will be a key test to gauge whether he’s truly ready to fight for gold in Switzerland. While it’s been a while since he lined up at an XCO World Cup, the move is part of a larger strategy. With his technical ability, explosive power, and proven multi-discipline pedigree, he remains a serious contender despite his recent illness.
Road to Valais
Aug. 20–24: Renewi Tour (road)
Aug. 31: UCI MTB XCO World Cup – Les Gets, France
Sept. 14: UCI MTB World Championships – Valais, Switzerland
Whether or not he pulls on another rainbow jersey this fall, Van der Poel’s return to mountain biking underlines his unique versatility and relentless ambition.
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