Mathieu van der Poel

The latest Mathieu van der Poel breaking news, comment, reviews and features from the experts at Cycling Weekly

Published 27 April 2023

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Date of birth	19/01/1995
Born	Kapellen, Belgium
Nationality	Dutch
Nickname	MVDP / The Flying Dutchman
Height	1.84m/ 6ft .5in
Weight	75kg
Resides	Antwerp
Partner	Roxanne Bertels
Turned pro	2014
Team	Alpecin-Deceuninck
Bike	Canyon Aeroad CFR
UCI race wins	42
Stage race wins	4
Grand Tour stage wins	2
Coach	Kristof de Kegel
Twitter	@mathieuvdpoel
Instagram	@mathieuvanderpoel

Mathieu van der Poel is a man who has almost won everything within his powers. The 28-year-old has won Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Tour of Flanders twice, stages of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, over a glittering career. The Dutchman has also been cyclo-cross world champion five times, and likes to dabble in mountain biking too.

Discover more about him through our 21 things you didn’t know about Mathieu van der Poel page.

He is the third generation of professional racers in his family, and has dominated the cyclocross discipline since be began racing. Since his transition to the road, he has showed his strength across a variety of races, especially in the Spring Classics.

'The peloton opted for the chaos' – how the breakaway had its deserved day at the Tour de France

Despite the best efforts of UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Netcompany-Ineos, the break made it, just

'Keep working, keep believing in it' – Mathieu van der Poel refuses to panic and gets Tour de France stage win on scorching day

Alpecin-Premier Tech turn around Tour with win in Ussel

By Adam Becket Published 12 July 26
'I was really struggling' - Mathieu van der Poel comes to terms with the heat to win stage 9 of the Tour de France from the breakaway

Only four of a huge breakaway survived to fight for the win after Netcompany-Ineos and Lidl-Trek led the chase

By Owen Rogers Published 12 July 26

Did a piece of £15 plastic cost Mathieu van der Poel his chance of victory at Paris-Roubaix?

With several Alpecin-Premier Tech riders using prototype Shimano pedals, Van der Poel was left without a bike at a crucial point

By Andy Carr Published 13 April 26

2 Comments
Mathieu van der Poel punctures twice on the Arenberg sector at Paris-Roubaix, teammate changes wheel

Calamity for Alpecin-Premier Tech comes after Tadej Pogačar forced to use neutral service bike earlier in race

By Adam Becket Published 12 April 26

3 Comments
Wout van Aert resurgent, Lorena Wiebes unstoppable, big teams dominate again and more – five things we learned from In Flanders Fields and E3 Saxo Classic

We look back over the weekend's Classics racing

By James Shrubsall Published 30 March 26

'That’s racing, I’m certainly not angry with my fellow escapees' – why didn't the chasing group catch Mathieu van der Poel at the E3 Saxo Classic?

It appeared to be race over for the Dutchman just before the final kilometre, but then tactics took over

By Adam Becket Published 27 March 26

3 Comments
'It is one of the victories that hurt the most' – Mathieu van der Poel wins third successive E3 Saxo Classic after thrilling finish

Dutchman almost caught in final kilometre, but sprints to victory

By Adam Becket Published 27 March 26
'Ciao' – peloton prepares for Mathieu van der Poel attack at E3 Saxo Classic, despite hand injury

No Tadej Pogačar or Wout van Aert at mini-Tour of Flanders

By Adam Becket Published 27 March 26

'I did everything perfectly' - Mathieu van der Poel sprints to victory on stage 4 of the Tirreno-Adriatico, as Giulio Pellizzari becomes overall race leader

The Dutchman takes his second stage win of the race

By Meg Elliot Published 12 March 26
'I wanted to make the race as fast as possible' - Mathieu van der Poel springs to victory on Tirreno-Adriatico stage 2 as wet gravel claims GC victims

Isaac del Toro and Giulio Pellizzari finish with Dutchman as GC overhauled

By Adam Becket Published 10 March 26
Classics specialists clash with GC contenders on the gravel, sprinters showdown and more – things to look out for at Tirreno-Adriatico

Many of the world’s best riders are in attendance at the Race of the Two Seas

By Joseph Lycett Published 9 March 26

Dutch dominance, British hopes and will it end in a sprint? Five things to know about Omloop Nieuwsblad, start list and riders to watch

The Classics narratives will be set at Opening Weekend, here's what you need to know

By Adam Becket Published 27 February 26
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert to make season debuts at Omloop Nieuwsblad

Dutchman has never raced Belgian Classic before

By Adam Becket Last updated 25 February 26
'I think I can do it without cyclo-cross' – Mathieu van der Poel mulls CX future after record-breaking world title

Dutchman won eighth cyclo-cross World Championships at weekend

By Adam Becket Published 2 February 26

'Everything is fleeting, it'll be the same for me' – Mathieu van der Poel in reflective mood as dominance continues

The Dutch star says age has allowed him to appreciate and reflect on his achievements

By James Shrubsall Published 5 January 26

2 Comments
'It's a shame it was decided by a crash' – will Wout van Aert recover to meet Mathieu van der Poel again after crash-marred Exact Cross?

Van der Poel triumphant again as the pair meet for the penultimate time this season in cyclo-cross

By James Shrubsall Published 2 January 26
'We are seeing the best cyclist ever' – can Mathieu van der Poel be the one to upset Tadej Pogačar's plans for 2026?

As Tadej Pogačar attempts to add Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix to his palmarès, is there anyone who can stop him?

By James Shrubsall Published 31 December 25

2 Comments

These are the Cycling Weekly team's riders of the year – and only one person chose Tadej Pogačar

There's even a mountain biker in this list, what's going on?

By Adam Becket Published 27 December 25
Rainy rides, pizza parties and 'bicycle face': this week in cycling social media

It's party season, essentially

By Meg Elliot Published 19 December 25
Tadej Pogačar takes to the padel court, bike-towed planes and Christmas jumpers: this week in cycling social media

It's silly season, we assume?

By Meg Elliot Published 13 December 25

Here are the five cyclo-cross races you can watch Wout van Aert vs Mathieu van der Poel this winter

The reigning world champion and his biggest rival will return to off-road later in December

By James Shrubsall Last updated 4 December 25
Mathieu van der Poel makes promise to the internet while a man holds a wheelie for 90 miles - this week in cycling social media

From snowstorms to cobble-climbs, this is what the internet served us up this week

By Meg Elliot Published 30 November 25
Mathieu van der Poel out of Tour de France with pneumonia

Dutchman won a stage and spent time in the yellow jersey in opening week

By Adam Becket Published 22 July 25

'We put on a good show' - Mathieu van der Poel falls metres short of epic Tour de France win on stage nine

Alpecin-Deceuninck rider caught with 700m to go after attacking from the gun with team-mate Jonas Rickaert

By Tom Davidson Published 13 July 25

2 Comments
'He had the idea and believed in it' - how Ben Healy and his team plotted victory on stage six of the Tour de France

EF Education-Easypost explain the work that went into Irishman's 40km solo win in Vire Normandie

By Tom Thewlis Published 10 July 25

3 Comments
21 things you didn’t know about Mathieu van der Poel

From his relationship with Wout van Aert to his favourite video game

By Adam Becket Last updated 9 July 25

'I did it for fun' - Jonas Vingegaard goes on the attack at Tour de France

Two-time winner launched a surprise attack on the road to Bolougne-sur-Mer, later admitting that it had been purely for his own entertainment

By Tom Thewlis Published 6 July 25

2 Comments
'I knew perfectly what to do' - Mathieu van der Poel draws on Classics prowess to win Tour de France stage two

Dutchman hails 'amazing start' for Alpecin-Deceuninck

By Tom Davidson Published 6 July 25
'I'm going to be proud to wear it' - Jasper Philipsen celebrates taking Tour de France yellow jersey on stage one

Philipsen and Alpecin-Deceuninck come out on top after GC riders lose time in crosswinds

By Tom Thewlis Published 5 July 25

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