"I think 2028 could be a good conclusion to my career" - Mathieu van der Poel names planned retirement date in major goal
Cycling
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."
Read also
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.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- i am sure that under the pretext of medical examination a lot worse has happened when they were under.abstractengineer02-11-2026
- dude, Lemond never even was in the same race as Armstrong. He throws all these aspersions on other American riders who might usurp his throne as the greatest ever American racer. He doesn't say a single thing about (foreign) dopers who he actually raced against. Biggest douchebag move ever. I used to revere that guy, now I despise him. His actions are so weird.fatsupermodel02-11-2026
- This is just stupid, You do what you are good at not what you are weak at. He has no results to speak of when he participated. Even Froome, Conatdor had very little. With Pogi there he wont win none of the classics. he is already 30+ with a few years left at the top. It takes years to get good at classics. Is that really worth the effort???abstractengineer02-11-2026
- Sure, little fella.awp02-11-2026
- You'll be the ongoing joke of 2027 with anything you post here!frieders302-11-2026
- Awwww your inside information must be from PogiFanGirl. You two daughters of different mothers?frieders302-11-2026
- Hey PogIFanGirl...wipe that cream from your lips! You're ever loving drooling and whatever you have for Tadej has your brain fried!frieders302-11-2026
- Why should he 'let it go' ! Because you said so? Anytime LA Doper is called out is a win win !frieders302-11-2026
- Geez LeMond...let it go. You're a has been, albeit a former great one. But this is all water under the bridge and just undermines your legacy further.Mshark01-11-2026
- 'The Slovenian has collected four Tour de France titles' ... '[Kieran Wood's] ... reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis'. i would say that is pretty inaccurate accurate coverage, kieran wood ... too bad that AI's knowledge often lags several months behind ... but proof reading is certainly part of accurate coverage, isn't it? but fortunately does Kieran Wood place 'strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.' i would say the fifth tdf title is pretty new (and even verified) information, so feel free to update this article.Ketterechts01-11-2026
Loading
1 Comments