Mathieu van der Poel has outlined a potential long-term shift toward mountain biking, raising questions about how he will balance his multi-discipline career with his road commitments, according to reports from sports news outlets covering his schedule in Val di Sole.
Val di Sole Host to Elite Cross-Country Clash
The Dutch multi-discipline star, who currently races for Alpecin-Premier Tech, revealed that he would like to spend an entire year focusing primarily on mountain biking in the future.
Planning a Dedicated Off-Road Season
Speaking ahead of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy, Van der Poel noted that such a transition requires careful planning and discussion with his team, given his existing commitments on the road, including participation in the Tour de France.
While his long-term ambitions point toward a dedicated mountain bike block, his immediate attention rests on Sunday’s cross-country world championship race in Val di Sole.
Chasing a Missing Rainbow Jersey
According to race reports, securing the elite men’s world title stands as his primary objective for the second half of the season, representing a missing rainbow jersey in his extensive palmares. The course reconnaissance took place on Friday, setting the stage for Sunday’s battle.
Van der Poel acknowledged that capturing the world title is important to him, but he also maintained a pragmatic perspective on his career legacy.
Pragmatic Outlook on Legacy and Future Chances
He stated that he would not view his career as a failure if he misses out on the mountain bike world title this weekend, adding that he expects future opportunities to contend for the jersey even if Sunday’s attempt falls short.
Balancing cyclo-cross, road racing, and mountain biking has defined much of Van der Poel’s professional career.
Team Priorities and Sunday Showdown
Team management at Alpecin-Premier Tech will weigh those sporting priorities against the commercial and competitive value of his road racing schedule, though no definitive timeline for a dedicated mountain bike year has been announced.
Sunday’s championship race in Val di Sole will feature the world’s top off-road specialists competing over the Italian venue’s demanding course. Fans looking to follow the action can check local listings for broadcast coverage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
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