Tom Pidcock returns to MTB at Nové Mesto World Cup - But Mathieu van der Poel will not, despite previous announcement

Mystery has surrounded Mathieu van der Poel's mountain bike return after it was reported that he would compete in the Nové Mesto MTB World Cup round on May 24th. The organisers announced his participation in the round on social media, however his team Alpecin - Premier Tech denied that he will take to the start.

The 31-year-old also specialises in disciplines such as Cyclocross and MTB away from his road racing, with his technical brilliance and explosive power have made him a perennial threat on any terrain — be it cobbles, cross, or climbs. He was announced by the organisers and promoted to do battle with Tom Pidcock at the Czechia course and latest round in the Mountain Bike World Cup series.

The news gained extra significance given he suffered two crashes in the event last year in a rare blip on his record, fracturing his scaphoid and hindering his road schedule for a few weeks at a crucial part of his season.

However, the team never gave the official go-ahead for the Dutchman to ride the event and van der Poel also never officially announced his participation, Cyclingnews reports.

The eight time monument champion is however expected to ride the Tour de Suisse next month. In a revamped race that will feature the likes of Tadej Pogacar and Tom Pidcock, the Dutch rider could be set to fine-tune Tour de France preparations in Switzerland.

This season marks the first since 2021 that van der Poel failed to win a spring monument, although he did taste victory during spring, big targets such as Milano-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix did not go according to plan.

Van der poel came up short against rival Pogacar in Sanremo and Flanders. Paris Roubaix may leave extra disappointment given his remarkable fightback after a double puncture on the crucial cobbles in the Arenberg, with the Dutch rider likely to have been in the fight for victory if not for his bike troubles.

A mix of misfortune and strong opposition hindered his chances in those races, but the former world champion hasn't competed since Roubaix and is refocusing on summer goals.