“BÉBÉ VDP” – Mathieu van der Poel shares huge baby news with Roxanne Bertels ahead of Tour de France

Mathieu van der Poel is set to become a father for the first time, with the Dutch superstar and Roxanne Bertels announcing that they are expecting their first child.

The Alpecin-Premier Tech rider shared the news in a joint Instagram post with Bertels, with the couple posting a black-and-white photo alongside ultrasound images. The caption read: “BÉBÉ VDP ⏳ january 2027”, confirming that the baby is due at the start of next year.

The announcement quickly drew reaction from across the cycling world, with Jasper Philipsen, Femke Bergmans, Floortje Mackaij and Alpecin-Premier Tech among those responding to the post.

For one of the most recognisable riders in the peloton, it is a rare public glimpse into a private life that Van der Poel and Bertels have generally kept away from the centre of attention.

The news comes just days before Van der Poel is expected to return to the Tour de France with Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he is again set to combine his own stage ambitions with a key role in the sprint train around Jasper Philipsen.

Van der Poel has already enjoyed a strong 2026 campaign, winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 Saxo Classic and two stages of Tirreno-Adriatico. He also finished second at the Tour of Flanders behind Tadej Pogacar and fourth at Paris-Roubaix after mechanical problems disrupted his bid for another cobbled Monument victory.

Those results have kept him firmly among the riders to watch heading into July, particularly in the opening week, where his explosiveness and experience in chaotic Tour finales can quickly put him in the fight for stage wins or even yellow.

The 31-year-old has worn the yellow jersey at the Tour de France before and will again carry major attention when the race begins. Before attention turns fully to the racing, however, Van der Poel and Bertels have shared the news that “Bébé VDP” is expected in January 2027.