Van der Poel continues sponsor tour and plays "probably the best round of golf" in elite company

Van der Poel has been a big fan of the golf course for a long time, so we often saw him hitting a ball shortly after a cycling race. A nice way to take his mind off things, but undoubtedly also to improve his game. During a visit to America, a round of golf was therefore a must, at the highly regarded Seawane Club in New York.

Van der Poel was there for a reason, because as one of the faces of the popular Whoop, he hit a ball with CEO Will Ahmed and swimming legend Michael Phelps. The now 40-year-old American has won 23 (!) gold medals in his career at the Olympic Games and is also affiliated with Whoop, a fitness bracelet that collects and analyzes data about the body 24/7.

Van der Poel clearly enjoyed his round with very chic company on Thursday. “Probably the best round of golf I've ever played,” he exclaimed in the photo on his social media. The smile is back after he ended his successful season in August with a disappointing Mountain Bike World Championships.

Since then, Van der Poel has been busy with all his sponsors. Canyon regularly visited his channels, and at Antwerp airport (where his private jet from Flying Group was also parked), he received a new Lamborghini as a gift. Watch brand Richard Mille, tire manufacturer Pirelli, and virtual cycling platform Zwift also sponsor van der Poel.  

Van der Poel will probably stay in America for a while longer. He was spotted in other photos at the Ryder Cup, a golf tournament between twelve European players and twelve American players. Roxanne Bertels, Van der Poel's girlfriend, is also there. It will be a while before he gets back on his bike.

Perhaps he will take up cyclo-cross. In recent winters, the now seven-time (!) world champion in cyclo-cross could break the record of eight victories with just one more World Championship title. He currently shares that record with Erik De Vlaeminck. So we can expect to see Van der Poel riding through the mud again.