30/11/2023

"It is a misunderstanding that that ticket has already been awarded to Mathieu" - Mathieu van der Poel still has work ahead to participate in MTB Olympic Games race

Mathieu van der Poel has been doing the work to be able to race the Mountain Bike Olympics in Paris, but that has been a far from simple process. At the time being in addition, the Dutch national coach tells that his presence is not yet assured.

"With the Netherlands, we are already assured of one starting spot. But it is a misunderstanding that that ticket has already been awarded to Mathieu," national coach Gerben de Knegt told Sporza. "Mathieu still has to meet the national performance requirement of the Dutch Olympic Committee: riding in the top 8 of a World Cup cross-country (XCO, ed.). But if Mathieu does not succeed, we can still do something about it."

Mathieu van der Poel and Remco Evenepoel spotted training together in Southern Spain

Van der Poel crashed out of the race in Tokyo 2021, which derailed his plan at the time. Recently he was in need of scoring points at the World Championships but crashed out, and at the Olympics test event he didn't manage to perform close to the best. Effectively, the signs are not good. He still has the goal in mind however and will work towards it in 2024, combining that with his goals on the road which should include the spring classics and also the road race in Paris.

"The first World Cup round in Brazil will take place in April. But participating in that MTB race is not an option for Mathieu. The European Championships in Romania (May 8-12, ed.) are an option, Mathieu is looking forward to being at the start there," de Knegt continues. "Participating in the World Cup rounds in May and June is important to regain the competitive feeling, gain rhythm and collect points. Although the question is whether Van der Poel will make much progress with those UCI points." Unlike the World Cups, there will only be 5 rows of riders at the Olympics race, and so questions emerge on whether at this point scoring UCI points will change in any meaningful way his starting position if he takes to the start of the event.