Mathieu van der Poel Wins Dutch Cyclist of the Year for Fifth Time

“I am currently in Spain to prepare for the new season, but I want to thank everyone who voted for me to become Cyclist of the Year,” Mathieu van der Poel said in a brief video message played during Monday’s awards ceremony. The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader, who was unable to attend the gala at the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht, successfully entertained the audience with a short clip filmed during a training ride, Wielerflits reported.

A fifth career title

The award marks the fifth time Van der Poel has been named the Dutch Cyclist of the Year, adding to his previous wins in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. The recognition follows a strong season, headlined by his performances at the Tour de France, where he secured two stage victories. His campaign also included notable wins at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and the E3 Saxo Classic.

While Van der Poel continues to build his trophy collection, he remains four titles shy of the record set by Joop Zoetemelk, who claimed the honor nine times. Van der Poel was preparing for the new season in Spain, so he appeared by video instead.

Ambitious goals for the coming season

In his recorded message, Van der Poel expressed his appreciation for the recognition and immediately looked toward the future. “Always a very nice acknowledgement, and hopefully again next year,” he said.

The ceremony in Utrecht served to honor the top performers in Dutch cycling over the past year. While Van der Poel was a notable absentee, his presence was felt through the video.