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.
Dominance in Leuven
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.
A Legacy Across Multiple Disciplines
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
Mathieu van der Poel has been the number 1 in cyclocross for several seasons
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?
More Grand Tour Success?
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.
A Rainbow Jersey in Mountain Biking?
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.
Read also
Winning a hilly Monument?
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.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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