The wait is nearly over. On May 25, Mathieu van der Poel is set to make his return to the mountain biking scene, kicking off his season at the World Cup event in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. His eyes are firmly set on one major goal: the World Championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. There, the versatile Dutchman hopes to secure his tenth world title later this year. But how has Van der Poel’s journey in mountain biking unfolded so far? IDLProCycling.com retraces his off-road path.
A promising start off-road
In 2018, already a decorated rider in both road cycling and cyclocross, Van der Poel proved he could excel on a mountain bike too. He clinched the Dutch national cross-country title, a win that validated his potential in yet another cycling discipline—despite an already busy calendar.
A breakout year
2019 marked Van der Poel’s arrival on the international mountain bike stage. He won the European cross-country title in Brno, Czech Republic, launching what would be a standout year. That season, he also claimed World Cup victories in Nove Mesto, Val di Sole, and Lenzerheide. In the short track format, he was equally dominant, racking up multiple wins. A world title seemed only a matter of time.
From peaks to a painful Olympic low
However, success in sport is rarely uninterrupted. With momentum behind him, Van der Poel targeted Olympic gold in Tokyo. But that ambition came crashing down—literally—on the first lap, when he miscalculated a drop, expecting a wooden ramp that had been there during recon. The crash ended his Olympic campaign prematurely and abruptly.
Yet quitting isn’t in Van der Poel’s nature. A multi-discipline world champion in cyclocross, gravel, and road racing, he quickly rebounded. He returned to the mountain bike circuit with a World Cup win in Albstadt, reaffirming his place among the elite. Still, his attention gradually shifted to other cycling arenas in the years that followed.
Looking ahead: From Switzerland to Los Angeles?
That shift has brought enormous rewards. Van der Poel has triumphed in several of cycling’s Monument races, worn the leader’s jersey in both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, and dominated cyclocross winters with rainbow jersey performances. But the mountain biking dream never truly faded. When he saw the road race course for the upcoming World Championships was too mountainous for his strengths, he pivoted his focus.
The mountain bike World Championships on September 14 in Switzerland will take place on a course that suits him well—fast, punchy, and not overly technical. His journey toward that title begins on May 25, and what comes next remains uncertain.
Still, few would be shocked if Van der Poel renews his pursuit of mountain bike glory. Back in January, IDLProCycling.com revealed that he intends to aim for Olympic gold in mountain biking at the 2028 Games. That could be his Olympic swan song—a fitting final chapter to an extraordinary career, with the crash in Tokyo serving as just a moment, not the conclusion.
