🎥 Everyone hit like! Van der Poel’s training mate sets terms for MVDP’s potential triathlon debut

Mathieu van der Poel and triathlon: it’s been a live topic for weeks now. An old wager with a YouTuber keeps resurfacing, not least because the Dutchman has been racking up training time with specialists from the three‑discipline world. This week he was out again — this time with an Ironman heavyweight. Is it really going to happen?

The story starts in 2023. Van der Poel appeared in a video with Belgian YouTuber Average Rob. The clip ended with a challenge: if the video hit 42,000 likes, the Dutch rider would do a triathlon. We’re now well past 130,000 likes — so does the promise bite? The signs say it might, judging by how the world champion is spending his winter block.

On Spain’s familiar Costa Blanca, Van der Poel put in serious work with Greg Van Avermaet. The Belgian may be retired, but he hasn’t stood still. After a joint ride and run, there was time for a dip in the wild waters as well — two kilometres for the pair — with an eye on a bigger goal for the 2016 Olympic champion.

In Marbella, Van Avermaet lined up at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in the 40–44 age group. After 2 km in the water, 90 km on the bike and 21 km on foot, he stopped the clock at 4:15:56 — and claimed the age‑group world title while Van der Poel watched it all on TV.

Meanwhile, the Alpecin star kept training with his mate Freddy Ovett, and also rolled out with Jan Frodeno, the 2008 Olympic triathlon champion. Fancy seeing Van der Poel take the plunge at last? It could happen — a few days later there was another notable outing: Van der Poel and Ovett linked up with Sam Laidlow, the youngest Ironman world champion in history.

Ovett, the Dutchman’s British‑Australian training buddy, poured a bit more fuel on the fire. "MvdP confirms that he will do an Ironman if this reel reaches 100,000 likes," he said on Instagram. Van der Poel himself replied: "I still have to do the Average Rob one.” Meanwhile, Cameron Wurf, former pro cyclist and Ironman stalwart, chimed in as well: "We had this discussion at Gent–Wevelgem 2 years ago. It’s time, my friend!”