"I don’t lose sleep over what other people think" - Mathieu van der Poel remains set on MTB Rainbow Jersey despite recent crash

Already a world champion on the road, in cyclocross and on the gravel, Mathieu van der Poel has long made it clear he has intentions on taking another Rainbow Jersey in 2025, this time on the Mountain Bike. After a recent return to the discipline saw him crash out hard with a broken wrist however, some are doubting if the Alpecin-Deceuninck superstar is setting himself the correct targets.

The wrist injury certainly didn't seem to effect Van der Poel on the opening stage of the 2025 Criterium du Dauphiné on Sunday afternoon as the Dutchman was involved in a thrilling finale that also attacks by the likes of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. “It doesn’t really hurt anymore, but I can still feel it a bit," Van der Poel said of his wrist in a post-stage interview with AD, having crossed the line in 3rd. "It’s not quite 100 per cent, but it’s better than I expected."

As mentioned though, with the injury having come from his recent trip to Nove Mesto for a round of the Mountain Bike World Cup, some experts have suggested Van der Poel might be wise to park his ambitions in the discipline for the foreseeable future and focus on the road instead. Contrary to this opinion though, Van der Poel himself remains steadfast in his ambition to claim another Rainbow Jersey.

“That’s definitely still the aim. Saying the crash was a real blow is probably overstating it, but it was a shame – I was really looking forward to mountain biking again," Van der Poel assesses. "Still, I do what I’ve set my mind to. I don’t lose sleep over what other people think.”

“Setbacks are just part of the sport,” Van der Poel concludes. “They only make me more determined to do better. It’s up to me to prove I’ve still got what it takes on the mountain bike. I honestly still really enjoy it.”