Mathieu Van der Poel drops hints in Girona: Is he eyeing the Traka gravel race?

Mathieu van der Poel drew a line under his spring after Paris-Roubaix, but after some well-earned rest he is back in motion. The Dutchman is currently based around Girona, where the prestigious Traka gravel race takes place next weekend — a race he has previously spoken about wanting to ride one day.

On Friday, Van der Poel headed out with his regular cycling companion Freddy Ovett in the hills around Girona. "Gravel heaven," the Dutchman wrote on social media alongside a photo of the gravel roads in the area.

Ovett posted the ride on Strava — 138 kilometres on predominantly unpaved roads — accompanied by a series of photos. Among them: Van der Poel hitting a pumptrack, very much in his element. And with a new haircut. The now-famous mullet has been traded in for a buzz cut.

Van der Poel also dropped a playful hint in the comments. "There's still a week to go and I'm starting to get a little nervous," the Dutchman wrote — a reference to the Traka gravel race in Girona, held the weekend of 1–3 May. Ovett has made it a target.

Back in early 2025, Van der Poel said he would love to take part one day. "Something like Traka, or another gravel race, I'd really like to do at some point. Canyon values it highly, and I value what Canyon values — haha. It also just sounds like fun, because I'm someone who needs new experiences."

Will this be the year? A glance at the entry list shows Van der Poel is not on it — though Ovett is, of course. With Van der Poel's standing in the sport, late additions are rarely a problem if the desire is there.