Unexplored details regarding Mathieu van der Poel's career and personal life highlighted in 21 interesting points
Mathieu van der Poel: A Cycling Phenom with a Versatile Career
Mathieu van der Poel, a Dutch cycling sensation, has made a name for himself in the world of cycling with his impressive achievements across various disciplines.
In 2015, at the tender age of 20, van der Poel became the youngest ever cyclo-cross world champion. This record-breaking victory marked the beginning of a remarkable career. Fast forward to 2023, van der Poel dominated the cyclo-cross season, winning the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships for the fifth time. This time, it was a close sprint against his main rival, Wout van Aert, that sealed the deal [1][2].
Van der Poel's successes in road racing are equally noteworthy. He has etched his name in history by winning multiple Monument Classics. In 2020 and 2022, he clinched the Tour of Flanders, while in 2023, he triumphed in Paris–Roubaix with a dominant solo ride, setting a new speed record. The following year, in 2024, van der Poel added another feather to his cap by winning Milan–San Remo [1][2].
Grand Tours have also been a battleground for van der Poel's talent. In 2021, he won stage 2 of the Tour de France, holding the yellow jersey for an historic six-day stretch. A year later, at the Giro d'Italia, he secured a victory on the opening stage, briefly donning the race leader’s jersey [1]. The pinnacle of his road career came in August 2023 when he won the UCI Road World Championships men’s road race in Glasgow, becoming the first Dutch elite men's road world champion in nearly 40 years, despite a crash near the finish [1][2].
Van der Poel's career highlights show a rare combination of dominance across cyclo-cross, one-day Classics, and punchy stage wins in Grand Tours. His aggressive racing style has earned him combativity awards, such as the one he received in the 2025 Tour de France [3].
Before his senior road wins, van der Poel clinched his first victory in 2014 at the Ronde van Limburg. His first WorldTour win came in 2019 at Dwars door Vlaanderen [1].
Off the bike, van der Poel is a brand ambassador for Lamborghini Antwerp and owns a customised Urus with a special number plate. He is also a fan of the video game Fortnite, and Shimano made a pair of cycling shoes adorned with motifs from the game [1].
Despite his impressive career, van der Poel has faced controversies. In 2022, he was charged with two counts of common assault at the World Championships in Wollongong, Australia, after a confrontation with two teenage girls. However, the conviction was later quashed by an Australian court [1].
Van der Poel and his main rival, Wout van Aert, have never been friends, according to Niels Albert, Van Aert's former coach [1].
[1] CyclingTips. (2023). Mathieu van der Poel. Retrieved from https://cyclingtips.com/2023/01/mathieu-van-der-poel/ [2] BBC Sport. (2023). Mathieu van der Poel wins Tour of Flanders for second time. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/57121612 [3] Cycling Weekly. (2025). Mathieu van der Poel wins combativity award at 2025 Tour de France. Retrieved from https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/mathieu-van-der-poel-wins-combativity-award-at-2025-tour-de-france-376449
Sports have been a significant part of Mathieu van der Poel's life, with cycling being his primary focus. His versatile career in cycling has led him to multiple victories in cyclo-cross, road racing, and even Grand Tours.
