Mathieu van der Poel‘s Mountain Bike Pursuit: A Deep Dive into His Historic Bid
Mathieu van der Poel stands on the precipice of cycling history. This Sunday in Crans Montana, Switzerland, he’ll attempt to become the first male cyclist to secure World Championship titles in four distinct disciplines: cyclo-cross, road racing, gravel, and now, mountain biking. Having already amassed seven rainbow jerseys in cyclo-cross, plus victories on the road (Glasgow 2023) and gravel (Leuven 2024), the Dutch phenomenon is laser-focused on adding another gold to his already impressive collection.
But this isn’t just another race for Van der Poel. It’s a return to a discipline deeply rooted in his passion, a challenge he actively seeks out. Let’s explore the story behind this pursuit, the challenges he faces, and why this World championship attempt feels different.
A Lifelong Love Affair wiht Two Wheels – and Terrain
Van der Poel’s journey wasn’t always singularly focused. As his brother, David van der Poel, a former professional cyclist himself, explains, their early years involved exploring multiple sports. Though, cyclo-cross quickly emerged as the primary focus.
Yet, mountain biking wasn’t abandoned. It began as a way to inject fresh challenges into his training regimen. This experimentation quickly blossomed into something more profound.
“I do think that mountain biking is his favorite type of cycling, yes,” David revealed in an interview with Sporza. “If he could choose wich bike to ride for fun,that bike woudl be at the top of the list.”
Why Mountain Biking Captivates Van der Poel
So, what is it about mountain biking that holds such a strong appeal for one of the world’s moast versatile cyclists? It boils down to a unique combination of factors:
* Intensity & Technique: Mountain biking demands shorter, more explosive efforts coupled with a high degree of technical skill. This appeals to Van der Poel’s competitive spirit and natural athleticism.
* The Thrill of the Extreme: Compared to the more structured nature of road racing, mountain biking offers a rawer, more unpredictable experiance.
* Connection with Nature: The stunning courses and beautiful landscapes inherent in mountain biking provide a welcome contrast to the ofen-sterile environment of road racing.
David aptly describes it as “an attractive combination.”
The Hidden Difficulty: Mastering the Terrain
Despite his incredible talent, mountain biking presents a unique challenge even for Van der Poel. It’s a discipline that requires dedicated time and focused effort to truly master.
“You have to put a lot of time and energy into it to master it completely,” David explains. “Controlling the bike takes a lot of time, and Mathieu hasn’t always had that time.”
This is a crucial point. Van der Poel’s success across multiple disciplines isn’t simply about raw talent; it’s about strategic allocation of time and energy.
The road Racing Commitment & Team Dynamics
For years, a significant hurdle to a full-fledged mountain biking campaign has been Van der Poel’s commitment to road racing. This is partly driven by the demands of his team, alpecin-Deceuninck, and their sponsors, who benefit from increased visibility on the road.
However, the situation has evolved.Alpecin-Deceuninck recognizes the importance of Van der Poel’s passion for mountain biking. They understand that allowing him to pursue this interest ultimately makes him a happier and more motivated racer on the road.
“That’s one of the reasons why he’ll probably ride with the same team for his entire career,” David notes. It’s a testament to a team culture that prioritizes athlete well-being and recognizes the value of diverse interests.
Preparation & Confidence Heading into Crans Montana
Van der Poel isn’t entering this race unprepared. He’s been diligently preparing on both his mountain bike and gravel bike at home. As he shared in a recent interview on Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Instagram page, he’s focused on course reconnaissance.
“I came here to do the last specific work and also do the course recon a lot of times,” he said. “I feel pretty good on the course now, so let’s hope that’s enough to be with the best on Sunday.”
This confidence
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