Mathieu van der Poel: Already a cycling legend, but how much further can he go?

In the world of cycling, few riders have the versatility, skill, and sheer dominance that Mathieu van der Poel possesses. He has already cemented his legacy as a legend across multiple disciplines, but his latest triumph begs the question: just how far can he go?

Last month in Zurich, van der Poel lost his World Road Race Championship title to Tadej Pogacar, but that minor setback was quickly overshadowed by another milestone in his glittering career. Just last weekend in Leuven, Belgium, the Dutchman put on a masterclass to win the Gravel World Championship, adding yet another rainbow jersey to his palmarès. This latest triumph shows that van der Poel isn’t just a road cycling phenomenon, he's an all-terrain master.

The Gravel World Championship saw some of the most versatile riders in the peloton line up, from road specialists to cyclocross riders. The chaotic 180-kilometer race was the perfect battleground for someone with van der Poel’s wide array of skills, blending technical ability with raw power.

The Dutchman attacked with over 100 kilometres to go, and while he initially paused to rejoin the main group, largely filled with Belgian riders, he would eventually break away with Florian Vermeersch. As the race entered its final stages, van der Poel’s superiority became evident. With 13 kilometres left, he launched a brutal uphill attack, leaving Vermeersch and the chasing pack behind. He arrived solo in Leuven to claim yet another world title.

This win makes van der Poel the reigning cyclocross and gravel World Champion, adding to the road race world title he won in Glasgow in 2023. At just 29, the Dutchman now holds eight professional rainbow jerseys across three disciplines, further establishing his place among the sport's greats.

When it comes to cycling's greatest all-rounders, the debate often turns to the likes of Eddy Merckx and Marianne Vos. However, Mathieu van der Poel’s palmarès already makes him a contender for that conversation.

Van der Poel has dominated cyclocross for the better part of the last decade, claiming six world titles. His fiercest rival, Wout van Aert, has often been his biggest challenge in the discipline, but van der Poel has consistently edged out the Belgian in the biggest races. Whether in mud, sand, or snow, the Dutchman’s handling skills and explosive power have made him virtually untouchable in cyclocross, particularly in receMa

On the road, van der Poel’s crowning achievement came in 2023 when he won the World Road Race Championship in Glasgow. His victory there, on a day that saw him blast away from the likes of van Aert and Pogacar, some of the best road cyclists in the world, was a testament to his tactical intelligence and physical prowess. It added yet another prestigious rainbow jersey to his collection.

Now, with the Gravel World Championship win, van der Poel becomes one of the few riders to claim world titles across multiple disciplines. This level of versatility is rarely seen in modern cycling, where most riders specialize in either road, cyclocross, mountain biking, or track racing. Van der Poel’s ability to excel across such varied disciplines is reminiscent of cycling legends from a former era, making him one of the most versatile riders of his generation.

At 29 years old, van der Poel’s career is far from over, and there’s still room for him to add even more achievements to his already packed palmarès. He’s under contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck until the end of 2028, giving him plenty of time to continue dominating in various disciplines.

But what’s next for the Dutchman?

While van der Poel’s ability to win single-day races is unquestioned, his Grand Tour success has been more limited. He has just two Grand Tour stage victories to his name—one at the Tour de France in 2021 and another at the Giro d’Italia in 2022. However, it’s worth noting that van der Poel wore the coveted yellow jersey during the 2021 Tour de France, an achievement that would be the career highlight for summer riders.

Compared to his arch-rival Wout van Aert, who has multiple Grand Tour stage wins, van der Poel’s tally is modest. However, his strengths lie in the one-day classics and cyclocross, where his explosive power and technical ability shine. It’s unlikely that van der Poel will ever compete for a Grand Tour overall victory, his 6-foot frame and weight make him less suited to mountain stages, but there’s no reason why he can’t add more stage wins in the coming years.

One intriguing possibility is for van der Poel to target a world title in yet another discipline: mountain biking. The 2025 Mountain Bike World Championships will be held in Zermatt, Switzerland, and van der Poel has expressed interest in competing for the title. "I have never made a secret of the fact that I also really want that world title in mountain biking," he said recently to AD. Should he win, it would be the fourth category where he holds a rainbow jersey, further cementing his status as the most versatile rider on the planet.

With the 2025 Road World Championships set to take place on a hilly course in Rwanda, van der Poel could choose to skip the road event and focus entirely on mountain biking. Given his technical prowess and racing IQ, he’s more than capable of adding a mountain biking world title to his already impressive collection.

Van der Poel has already won six Monuments, the most prestigious one-day races in cycling, including Milan-San Remo, Paris-Roubaix (2023 and 2024), and three victories at the Tour of Flanders. However, two of cycling’s five Monuments still elude him: Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia, both of which feature far more climbing than his previous wins.

These hilly Monuments are typically the domain of riders like Tadej Pogacar, Remco Evenepoel, and other climbers, who also excel in high-altitude mountain stages at the summer’s Grand Tours. But van der Poel is no stranger to defying expectations. While it would be a tall order for him to win Liège or Il Lombardia, it’s not out of the question. He’s proven time and time again that he can thrive in unexpected situations, and a win in either of these races would only add to his legendary status.

With eight rainbow jerseys across three disciplines, six Monument wins, and countless other victories, Mathieu van der Poel has already achieved more than most cyclists could ever dream of. But at 29 years old, his career is far from over, and there’s still plenty of time for him to add even more accolades to his name.

Whether it’s winning more Grand Tour stages, adding a mountain bike world title, or finally conquering Liège or Lombardia, van der Poel has the talent and ambition to keep pushing the limits of what’s possible in cycling. His versatility, power, and tactical intelligence make him one of the most exciting riders to watch, and there’s no doubt that he’ll continue to be a dominant force in the sport for years to come.

Mathieu van der Poel is already a legend. But could he go even further? Only time will tell.