UPDATE: Mathieu van der Poel may be forced to miss Tour de France as more information on seriousness of MTB crash that left him hospitalised comes to light
Mountain BikeMonday, 26 May 2025 at 10:38
Mathieu van der Poel's long-awaited and highly-anticipated return to mountain bike racing did not go as planned for the Alpecin-Deceuninck superstar this Sunday afternoon in at the Nove Mesto round of the World Cup.
Van der Poel's return didn't last long before a crash brought his hopes of victory to a premature end. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider's fortunes in off-road racing continue to be elusive. He previously suffered crashes in two major events — the Olympic Games in 2021 and the 2023 World Championships — both of which were key targets in his career. Unfortunately, today's race added to that streak, as he hit the ground hard once again.
To make matters worse for Alpecin-Deceuninck, Van der Poel wasn't the only rider caught up in a crash either as Samuel Gaze also came down with a bump. As a result of this instances, both Van der Poel and Gaze have been sent to hospital for a medical check up according to a report by Wielerflits. With a big summer still in store for the multi-discipline world champion, Van der Poel will be hoping there are no serious issues.
Update
According to information garnered by the respected Belgian broadcasters Sporza, Van der Poel's injuries may be far worse than initially feared, with even the Dutchman's participation at the 2025 Tour de France now in doubt.
"The seriousness of the (possible) injury is not yet fully clear, but according to our information, all parties are taking bad news into account and the damage is greater than expected," Sporza reports worryingly. "Van der Poel would normally have travelled to La Plagne on Monday for an altitude training camp, after which he would ride the Dauphiné (8-15 June) in preparation for the Tour de France (5-27 July). There is now a very big question mark behind that planning."
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- Well Tadej had no trouble winning stage 7 of the Dauphine last month with 3 HC climbs, basically a carbon copy of stage 18's profile so...norsiiii15-07-2025
- so did Tadej attack to get rid of Jonas, or get rid of Jonas’ teammates? I think the latter. this is Tadej’s preferred method of riding. don’t end up on the final climb outnumbered, and then it is one on one. and since there is still so much racing, just get it down to even terms and cruise to the end.mij15-07-2025
- I know, VC even said as much. he said they did nothing as Tadej was always there and able to respond. we’ll see.mij15-07-2025
- agreed. this is not Jonas preferred terrain. how will Tadej hold up on 3 long climbs on stage 18? that is where Jonas can shine.mij15-07-2025
- Can you link that? Also, as a U23 Pogi was shown to have a great ability to shed latic acid at a very fast rate. Allowing him to go harder for longer than most.md197515-07-2025
- Hasn't worked this year. Pogi is only going after a serious threat. Even then, depends how serious he thinks it is. Remco went and Pogi didn't do anything. He only went 1 time on stage 10...to see what Jonas would do. And then he sat up. Visma needs a plan they haven't used in the pastmd197515-07-2025
- Jonas doesn't have the motor to beat Pogi. And if he keeps playing games Remco is looking good and very well could end up 2nd and Jonas won't even be top 3.md197515-07-2025
- His attacks of Tadeg did absolutely nothing! Why is everyone raving about it?frieders315-07-2025
- Lucky for Remco that Tadeg and Joans roade to the finish line soft pedaling! He can't stay with them when they attack!frieders315-07-2025
- Those killer bees better get in line and start riding 100% for Jonas, especially Wout.
Front24215-07-2025
It's wild that a guy with such fantastic bike handling skills has crashed hard in three important MTB races. If that isn't a very clear sign that says 'just stick to the road', then I don't know what is.
Or maybe get in the bike more than one month prior to the race?!? Reminder - he’s won on this course before. So he has skills. But you can’t just jump in
This course has changed since he won it! As well as the racing tactics and he has to start in the pack instead of front row.
exactly. that’s my point. so maybe practice a bit more. I read in another article on here that he’s only ridden his mtb 2x lately. if so, that’s stupid.
These roadies can't hack it on the Trail 😁 #getwellsoon 👍