"I don't know a single rider who would rather babysit than race" - Mathieu van der Poel's cycling future questioned as he's set to become a father
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel's cycling future remains a question as the Alpecin Premier-Tech rider is set to become a father this winter. As he and his girlfriend Roxanne Bertels are expecting their first child in January, with sources implying that the Dutch rider may not ride in cyclocross over the winter period.
After a busy season that included wins at Omloop, E3 Saxo Classic and the Tour de France, van der Poel wrapped up his road season at the Montreal World Championships at the end of September, instigating an attacking move that ultimately led to him finishing in third place in the rainbow jersey race.
But as speculation grows around the next time we'll see the 31-year-old back in the thick of action, his impending fatherhood suggests that he may not return to the high-octane discipline of cyclocross in the coming months, and could be set for an extended period off the bike as he and Bertels welcome their child.
One analyst questioned whether the Dutchman will take the extended break, adding that riders often prefer to race when possible.
"He is sending us packing with a question mark as big as a truck," Sporza analyst Paul Herygers said.
Mathieu van der Poel
"I don't know a single rider who would rather babysit than race"
"That he won't race because he's becoming a dad? I think differently about that. I don't know a single rider who would rather babysit than race. He might be the first to choose that, but there is so much beauty in store in the field.
Cyclocross riders face the uncertainty of whether van der Poel and rival Wout van Aert will arrive at certain events during their season. The pair have proved dominant at the highest level for over a decade, often besting most of the competition each time they return to the track.
Herygers understands the predicament for riders exhausting themselves trying to beat the duo and then missing out at races they don't start. Whether van der Poel will be at the World Championships in early 2027 is a mystery to all except the rider himself, he claims.
"That is an annoying situation for those other cyclocross riders. Just try making a plan for the rest of your season, because will they show up or won't they?
The 2026-2027 Cyclocross season
"Imagine wearing your body out, only to find out that Van der Poel isn't coming to the World Championships in Ostend. Only Van der Poel himself can answer that question, but the rest are climbing the walls."
Herygers thinks that the sport doesn't take too much out of riders like van Aert, noting that the Visma rider could well start the cyclocross season first this year despite an intense road season that included the Vuelta a Espana and a full classics campaign.
"Van Aert was brutally taken out of the race last year in Mol by his crash in the snow. He has a great season on the road behind him, but I don't think he will hesitate for too long.
"For such talented men as him, cyclocross is not grueling. Riders like him are used to wearing their bodies out. So it is possible that Van Aert will be the first to start."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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