Dutch cycling sensation Mathieu van der Poel is in no rush to get back on the saddle — at least not yet. The reigning national champion, known for his explosive power across multiple disciplines, has opted for a gentler approach to training following an intense 2025 campaign. With a calendar that included monumental victories and a solid, if subdued, showing at the Mountain Bike World Championships, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has earned himself a well-deserved break.
“Chances are the bike’s staying in the garage for a while,” van der Poel remarked with a grin during a recent chat with Het Laatste Nieuws. True to his word, the 30-year-old has taken advantage of his offseason to recharge — swapping mountain climbs for golf courses and spending time in the United States before returning to Europe this autumn.
His current period of rest comes after a remarkable year that reaffirmed his dominance in classic one-day races. From thrilling Monuments triumphs to his unforgettable performances against cycling’s elite, van der Poel’s 2025 season was nothing short of stellar. Now, with his legs finally getting a break, the Dutchman is already eyeing his next big objectives for 2026.
On the horizon are two of his favorite battlegrounds: Paris-Roubaix and the Tour de France. At Paris-Roubaix, he’ll once again look to outclass his great rival Tadej Pogačar — a feat that few in the peloton can claim. Meanwhile, a return to the Tour promises another chapter in van der Poel’s evolving legacy as one of cycling’s most versatile and unpredictable forces.
But before all that, there’s the matter of cyclocross, the discipline where his legend first took shape. Normally, by this time of year, van der Poel would already be deep into his winter preparations. However, Belgium’s gloomy weather and his deliberate decision to ease back into training have delayed that process. “The weather hasn’t exactly been encouraging,” he admitted, suggesting that muddy cross races may have to wait a little longer.
For now, the Dutch superstar is content to rest, reflect, and enjoy the calm before another storm of competition. If history is any indicator, once van der Poel swings his leg over the bike again, it won’t take long before he’s back to doing what he does best — turning endurance into art and every race into a spectacle.