BREAKING NEWS: Mathieu van der Poel Contemplates Skipping 2025 Tour de France to Pursue Mountain Biking Glory
Mathieu van der Poel has hinted at the possibility of forgoing the 2025 Tour de France to concentrate on mountain biking, a discipline where he has yet to secure a major international title. The Dutch cycling star, renowned for his versatility across various cycling disciplines, expressed his intentions during a recent interview in Alicante, Spain.
Reflecting on Tour de France Experiences
Van der Poel acknowledged that his previous Tour de France campaigns have not met his expectations. Despite his impressive debut in 2021, where he won a stage and wore the yellow jersey, subsequent appearances have been less remarkable. In 2022, he withdrew mid-race after the Giro d’Italia, and in the past two editions, his best stage finish was 12th. He admitted to facing difficulties in reaching his peak performance during the Tour, stating, “To say I was unhappy at the Tour is perhaps a little strong, but I didn’t have a good time.” citeturn0search0
Desire to Return to Mountain Biking
Van der Poel’s passion for mountain biking remains strong. He emphasized that a return to the discipline is a significant goal for him, noting, “I think maybe it’s a good moment to try and get back on the mountain bike, if I have time. That’s still a big objective for me.” citeturn0search0 His achievements in mountain biking include multiple cyclo-cross world titles and a recent gravel world championship. Securing the mountain bike world title would complete his collection of rainbow jerseys across four different disciplines. citeturn0search5
Implications for the 2025 Season
If van der Poel opts to skip the Tour de France, he could focus on key mountain biking events, including the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup rounds in Haute-Savoie and Andorra, leading up to the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, scheduled for September 2025. citeturn0search6
Conclusion
Mathieu van der Poel’s potential decision to bypass the 2025 Tour de France in favor of mountain biking underscores his commitment to achieving excellence across multiple cycling disciplines. Cycling enthusiasts will be keenly watching his forthcoming decisions, which could significantly impact the landscape of competitive cycling in 2025.
For more updates on Mathieu van der Poel’s career and the 2025 cycling season, stay tuned to official cycling news outlets.