Mathieu van der Poel skips Canadian races as he takes alternative route to World Championships

Mathieu van der Poel is hoping to put his failed bid for a mountain bike world title behind him by striking gold in Canada. The Road World Championships will be held in Montréal, where the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider is among the leading contenders for the rainbow jersey. While many of his rivals are already in Canada, however, Van der Poel is still preparing in Spain.

Van der Poel enjoyed an outstanding Tour de France in July. The Dutchman won two stages, with his spectacular victory on the Champs-Élysées perhaps the biggest highlight of his entire Tour. He then took some time away from racing before turning his attention to mountain biking. On the fat tires, Van der Poel wanted another opportunity to finally add the mountain bike world title to his remarkable palmarès.

After an encouraging dress rehearsal in Les Gets, where he finished second, Van der Poel traveled to Val di Sole to fight for the rainbow jersey. But starting from the fifth row, he was unable to make a serious impact on the race and eventually finished outside the leading positions. Tom Pidcock, who started alongside Van der Poel, produced a very different performance, charging through the field in spectacular fashion to become world champion. For Van der Poel, the outcome was naturally a major disappointment.

But his season is not over yet. Following the disappointment in Italy, Van der Poel confirmed that he would also travel to Canada to challenge for the road world title. The Dutchman already became road world champion in Glasgow in 2023, and the Montréal course once again appears to offer him an opportunity to fight for the rainbow jersey. The absence of defending champion Tadej Pogačar only increases the significance of that opportunity, with several major contenders now sensing their chance.

Mathieu van der Poel is hoping to put his failed bid for a mountain bike world title behind him by striking gold in Canada. The Road World Championships will be held in Montréal, where the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider is among the leading contenders for the rainbow jersey. While many of his rivals are already in Canada, however, Van der Poel is still preparing in Spain.

And that means a training ride with Freddy Ovett, of course. The Australian once again took Van der Poel on a 162-kilometer loop with 2,800 meters of elevation gain around Calpe, as can be seen on Strava. It must be the perfect preparation for the Dutchman as he aims to win a second rainbow jersey. The World Championships road race takes place on September 27.