Mathieu van der Poel beats rally rider and wants the MTB crown in 2025

Mathieu van der Poel Miguel Fuster Rallye

Photo: Erik Dekker / X

Mathieu van der Poel is thinking about concentrating on mountain biking in the 2025 season and skipping the Tour de France. Meanwhile, he demonstrates his speed on asphalt in a sprint against a rally pro.

Mathieu van der Poel has a unique combination of skills on muscle-powered two-wheelers: He is so explosive that he can win cyclocross and mountain bike races, he puts so many watts on the pedals over several minutes that he is one of the favorites in the biggest one-day road races. And he has the riding technique to keep up with the best on cross-country race courses.

He has already been world champion on the road and in cyclocross. He is currently the gravel world champion. The last rainbow jersey he is still missing is the mountain bike jersey.

Ok, in cross-country races we have also seen MVP crash a few times or not keep up with the fastest riders on the descents. A roadie by the name of Tom Pidcock is a few bike lengths ahead of him. But what will happen if he spends less time on the road and focuses on the mountain bike?

Would rather have the mountain bike world championships in Valais than the road world championships in Rwanda

This is exactly what he is considering, as he recently told a Spanish newspaper on the record. The last Tour de France did not go to his liking. However, this will prevent him from showing his best form on studded tires at the highlights of the Cross Country World Cup and the World Championships. The 2025 World Championships in Valais appeal to him and he also sees better chances there than on the extremely hilly course of next year's Road World Championships. This will take place in Rwanda.

If this is indeed the case, the upcoming cross-country season will be even more interesting. But it would also be surprising if his road team simply let him branch off onto the trails. MVP has helped the team's sprinter to a number of victories as a rider and noble helper - including in the Tour de France.

And most recently to victory against a rally rider. Apparently Van der Poel only has to cover half the distance at the Gran Fondo in Murcia, Spain. However, he easily beat the rally pro Miguel Angel Fuster. Contrary to what was stated in the X Post by former road pro Erik Dekker, it is not rally world champion Sebastian Loeb at the wheel, but the multiple Spanish champion.

Overwinning voor @mathieuvdpoel ! La Nucia criterium. Verslag @SebastienLoeb pic.twitter.com/KcRSPh6eXr
- Erik Dekker (@edekker1970) October 26, 2024

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