Christoph Roodhooft on the complexity of van der Poel’s mountain bike return: "He really wants to be in top shape for the Grand Départ"

A German mountain bike race in Heubach announced Van der Poel's participation on May 18 a few weeks ago, but he will not be competing until May 25 in Nove Mesto. "The organizer we were in contact with was just a little too hasty and enthusiastic. The man assumed it was a done deal while negotiations were still in progress," explains Roodhooft.

Van der Poel has been able to train well in recent weeks. "About ten days in Spain and partly in Belgium because the weather was good here. This schedule has allowed him to add three solid weeks of training to his already solid spring base. As a result, his preparation for Sunday was a little less than ideal—he only rode his mountain bike twice—but his run-up to the Tour is now on track."

"You can't do everything at once. Choices have to be made. Time is short. After this weekend, it's off to La Plagne for altitude training. Therefore, the World Cup races in Leogang (June 8) and Val di Sole (June 22) are out of the question, explains Roodhooft, who expects Van der Poel to return to mountain biking after the Tour. ‘Although the calendar doesn't offer much choice during that period. But anyway, we'll see. The smaller, more low-key events are not an alternative here either. These days, you have to do things well and do them right if you want to compete at the highest level, even if your name is Mathieu van der Poel," according to HLN.

The Dutchman is already happy to be back on his mountain bike. "Off-road riding is his passion. He loves it, so I think he's really looking forward to it. But Mathieu is aware that he has to do the things he wants to do, in this case, the Tour, as well as possible. He really wants to be in good shape for the Grand Départ," says Roodhooft. There are many options for Van der Poel in the first week of the Tour de France.

After that, the focus will shift to the Mountain Bike World Championships. "He undoubtedly has some work to do before then. You don't beat a two-time Olympic champion like Tom Pidcock just like that. If anyone can do it, it's Mathieu. But before the World Championships, he must build the confidence to win."