Mathieu van der Poel to ride extra road race before mountain bike season
The Dutchman will top off a formidable spring Classics season with one final road race

Mathieu van der Poel on the podium at the 2019 Amstel Gold Race (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
After a remarkable spring Classics season, Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon-Circus) is set to trade in the tarmac to focus on mountain biking this summer, but will first contest one final road race after adding an extra event to his calendar.
Having won Dwars door Vlaanderen, Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race, the Dutchman was set to begin his mountain bike season with the World Cup race in Albstadt, Germany on May 19, but will now add in a final day on the road in preparation.
The 24-year-old is set to race Puivelde Koerse four days earlier on Wednesday 15 May, a race his father Adrie van der Poel won when he was a pro.
Puivelde Koerse is a Belgian race, with the 54th edition covering 169km. Belgian Dennis Coenen won the race last year, with Sep Vanmarcke finishing fourth and Mathieu's brother David van der Poel coming eighth. Traditionally, it's a race that cyclocross pros also use to prepare for their season.
Van der Poel was meant to take the start line at this race last year, according to organisers, but didn't due to a broken wrist. They contacted the Dutchman after a flying start to his 2019 season, with Van der Poel deciding to use the 2019 edition of Puivelde Koerse as he builds towards the mountain bike season.
The Corendon-Circus rider originally planned to climb off his road bike after the Amstel Gold Race, which he won by ambushing Julian Alaphilippe and Jakob Fuglsang in the closing kilometres, but has found the space for one more road race, which after his performances on the road so far you can understand.
As well as victory in the Ardennes Classic, Van der Poel won Dwars door Vlaanderen after beating proven Classics riders Bob Jungels (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and Tiesj Benoot (Lotto-Soudal) in a sprint from a select group, then besting Alaphilippe and Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) in a sprint at Brabantse Pijl.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Dutch national coach, Koos Moerenhout, has publicly said he wants Van der Poel to race the world championships in Yorkshire later this year, an event the Dutchman had not originally planned to race.
Moerenhout has said it's a course that suits the rider "perfectly", with the coach saying the 24-year-old would take team leadership responsibilities ahead of more experienced pros such as Tom Dumoulin and Steven Kruijswijk because his results have been too good: "It may be that some of the riders frown upon it – a young upstart coming straight in – but on the other hand his class is unquestionable. Even the current riders will confirm that."
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
Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
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
-
"Like a second skin” - the WYN Republic CdA triathlon suit reviewed
$700 is a substantial investment in a Tri Suit, and it is, but you’ll definitely feel fast in it
By Kristin Jenny
-
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