"I think 2028 could be a good conclusion to my career" - Mathieu van der Poel names planned retirement date in major goal
CyclingWednesday, 01 July 2026 at 10:37
Mathieu van der Poel knows exactly when he wants to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career. The former world champion and multi-time monument winner has one big thing he wants to achieve before he gets off the saddle.
The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader has enjoyed a career for the ages, and having won many of cycling's biggest races, now picks and chooses his moments when it comes to competing for big honours.
Still, among all the medals and jerseys, there is one accolade that alludes him, and he's prepared to wrap not only his entire season around it, but even his career.
"My current contract with Alpecin-Premier Tech expires at the end of 2028," he told NOS . "And for me, now, that's a point of arrival. I haven't looked beyond that date yet. I think 2028 could be a good conclusion to my career. I'll be 33, an ideal age to end it."
No final decision made
At 31-years-old, and recently announcing that he and his partner are expecting a baby in early 2027, the Dutchman knows that it's not a final decision and plenty can change along the way.
He added: “It's not a final decision, we'll see if I still have the necessary level and if I still have fun. I can say that it could be a good conclusion, that's for sure."
The 2028 Olympic Games are the big goal. Van der Poel wants a gold medal representing the Netherlands, something to go alongside his world champion rainbow bands.
“Winning a gold medal in Los Angeles to end my career? It would be wonderful, but I know it will be a daunting task. I already know I'll skip the Tour that year to prepare well for the Games. That will be my last chance."
2026 Tour de France goals
Mentioning skipping the Tour de France in 2028 to prepare for the games, he won't be doing so in 2026. He arrives at the Grand Boucle this week with a sting in his tail and a goal to upset the GC favourites by taking the yellow jersey for himself - at least during the first week of racing.
He said: "Hopefully we can spring a surprise, but it will be difficult. We have invested a lot of time in this. And with the riders we have, we should be able to set a good time."
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With a strong time trial preparation underlined by a close second to Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de Suisse last month, he hopes he and his team can overcome a swolen GC field in the first week.
"The plan is to stay in the race so that we can possibly go for that yellow jersey again in the days that follow. You have riders like Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel. If they set their sights on it, it will be very difficult. But we are going to try."
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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- The headline "re-emerging former World Tour climber" and the photo tripped me into thinking that's Froome. He looks a bit like Froome.
KerisVroom01-07-2026 - Agree Jonas not the same since his crash till maybe last years Vueltavaughanstar01-07-2026
- He doesn't take part likely due to training conflicts. And of course he won't be the Merliers of the world. But Tadej has done pan flat races like Roubaix and can seemingly win anywhere.mij01-07-2026
- Jonas put in a historic TT effort, and Tadej was compromised from his LBL crash. The first thing that goes out the window is TT specific training, but people really underestimate how much TT specific training is needed to master it. Two examples, Tour de Suisse this year - no one would confuse MVDP for a TT specialist, but look at that ride! And he said he did a lot of TT training. Tadej's first win, it was very specific TT training that allowed him to beat Primoz.mij01-07-2026
- were we told this by mus musculus or one of his many predecessors?Ketterechts01-07-2026
- Ditto. On any given day, in the right situation... Wout can and has gotten over on Pog. Too bad we won't get a rematch on the Rue Lepic this year.mrvco01-07-2026
- Favourites for the TTT for sure
Rafionain-Glas01-07-2026 - Some people are saying that Jonas is no longer Jonas Vingegaard, but "Jonas Hansen."mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales01-07-2026
- A moment of silliness: Perhaps after Pogačar has won 6 Tours (or 7), 6x Lombardia, 4x Flanders, Roubaix, the Vuelta, and a few more Liege, meaning that he’s on the top of as many lists as possible, he will take a small breather, bulk up, and become a sprinter. It’s the only thing he hasn’t mastered completely yet.RidesHills01-07-2026
- I'm asking once again, what did I write in may upper comment to make you become so mean. All my comments are true and competent, yours aren't. That's the difference between you and me.mus-musculuspeedypogigonzales01-07-2026
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