Mathieu van der Poel stuns with one-day race victory despite back injury
The Dutch superstar says chances of riding Paris-Roubaix and World Championships are 'now higher than 50/50'


Mathieu van der Poel's lingering back injury appear doesn't appear to have slowed him down much.
The Dutchman returned to competition on Sunday (September 12) at the Antwerp Port Epic, after an extended break due to back problems that have hindered his training.
Van der Poel is among the favourites for both the World Championships and the delayed 2021 Paris-Roubaix in the coming months, but his back injury has thrown the rest of the season into doubt for the Alpecin-Fenix rider.
The 26-year-old out-sprinted his compatriot Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) after four hours of racing in Belgium on Sunday, but is still not convinced he will be at 100 per cent for his final targets of the season.
Speaking with cycling website Wielerflits after the finish of the Antwerp Port Epic, Van der Poel said: “I did everything I could to test the back today and certainly didn't play hide and seek. I purposely wanted to make it a long finale to feel how I reacted.
“If I had to estimate my chances now, I'm already thinking about something more than the 50/50 that I indicated this morning."
Van der Poel said he will consult with his physiotherapists this week, but added he is eager to race the World Championships in Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, before he plans to take rest to let his back heal.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
>>> Phenomenal British team confirmed for 2021 World Championships in Flanders
The reigning world cyclocross champion hasn't raced since the Tokyo Olympics in July, where he crashed out of the men's mountain bike event in dramatic fashion.
Van der Poel said he would like to ride the Primus Classic on September 18, and then the Grand Prix de Denain on September 21 if his back is strong enough, as his final test races before the Worlds road race on September 26.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
How do the pros train? Noemi Rüegg's 26 hour training week
Winner of this year’s Tour Down Under, the EF Education-Oatly rider is a climber whose talent is taking her to the top
By Chris Marshall-Bell
-
Save £42 on the same tyres that Mathieu Van de Poel won Paris-Roubaix on, this Easter weekend
Deals Its rare that Pirelli P-Zero Race TLR RS can be found on sale, and certainly not with a whopping 25% discount, grab a pair this weekend before they go...
By Matt Ischt-Barnard
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
By Tom Thewlis
-
'It was like a stone hitting my face' - Mathieu van der Poel calls for 'legal action' after bottle incident at Paris-Roubaix
The winner was hit by a bottle in the face on Templeuve, sector 8b
By Adam Becket
-
Mathieu van der Poel secures Paris-Roubaix hat-trick after epic duel with Tadej Pogačar
Dutchman takes his third win in a row after Pogačar crashes on the cobbles, while Mads Pedersen finishes third
By Peter Cossins
-
'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej Pogačar
Two-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tadej Pogačar must attack from range at the Tour of Flanders - taking Mathieu van der Poel to the line is not an option
Slovenian must look to replicate his Oude Kwaremont attack from 2023 if he wants to guarantee being first across the line in Oudenaarde
By Tom Thewlis
-
Mathieu van der Poel surges to E3 Saxo Classic victory after dropping Mads Pedersen on the Oude Kwaremont
Dutchman untouchable in West Flanders after distancing Pedersen and Filippo Ganna on decisive climb
By Tom Thewlis
-
Mathieu van der Poel to skip road World Championships to target mountain bike title
2023 world champion confirmed to ride Tour de France in search of stage victories
By Adam Becket
-
Mathieu van der Poel vs Wout van Aert: Cyclo-cross World Championships form guide
Van Aert was a surprise addition to the CX Worlds lineup last weekend after he was initially not scheduled to race in Liévin
By Tom Thewlis