OFFICIAL: Mathieu van der Poel to debut at the Criterium du Dauphine in prep for 2025 Tour de France

It's long been expected that Mathieu van der Poel will return to the Tour de France in 2025, and now we know more about the route the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader will take en route the biggest race on the calendar.

Unlike in 2024, where Van der Poel enjoyed a complete rest between the end of his Spring and the start of the Tour de France, this time around the Dutch superstar will be in action ahead of the Tour and making a debut at the Critérium du Dauphine. “These are chances we absolutely have to try and take,” Alpecin-Deceuninck boss Christoph Roodhooft has explained in conversation with HLN.

As had been previously reported however, it has meant that there is less Mountain Bike action for Van der Poel than was initially hoped for, with just the one round of racing in Nove Mesto. “You can’t do everything at once — sometimes, choices have to be made. It’s always a delicate balancing act. But nowadays, if you want to compete at the very highest level, you have to do everything right. Even if your name is Mathieu van der Poel," Roodhooft says. "And Mathieu knows that better than anyone. He’s not leaving anything to chance. He wants to be in top form for the Grand Départ on July 5 in Lille.”

Following another standout Spring that saw Van der Poel win Paris-Roubaix, the E3 Saxo Classic, Milano-Sanremo and Le Samyn, the Dutchman certainly heads to the Dauphine with expectations high. Throughout the Spring, Van der Poel also went toe-to-toe with the pre-race Maillot Jaune favourite at the Tour de France - Tadej Pogacar. Something that the Dutchman might have to do once again later this summer if he hopes to add to his one and only Tour de France stage win from back in 2021 this time around.