Mathieu van der Poel will be sidelined until end of March with 6/8 weeks injury…

Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch cycling prodigy renowned for his versatility across disciplines, has been grappling with a rib injury sustained during the Exact Cross Loenhout on December 27, 2024. This setback has significantly disrupted his cyclo-cross season, leading to withdrawals from several key races.

The injury occurred when van der Poel collided with a wooden post during a turn, resulting in rib discomfort that intensified over time. Despite initial hopes for a swift recovery, the persistent pain, especially on challenging terrains, forced him to miss the X2O Trofee in Koksijde on January 3, 2025. He expressed his disappointment, stating, “This is really disappointing because Koksijde is one of my favorite races.”

Following this, van der Poel also withdrew from the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup in Dendermonde, Belgium, on January 5, 2025. He acknowledged the severity of his condition, noting, “On heavier off-road terrain, I’m still experiencing too much pain in my rib. I have no choice but to remain patient.”

In the interim, van der Poel has been focusing on recovery, training on the road in Spain. Team manager Christoph Roodhooft provided an optimistic update, stating, “Everything is fine. For what he has to do there now, training on the road, everything is fine. He is training on the road now, that was also the only option.”

Despite these challenges, van der Poel made a commendable return to competition by participating in the final two races of the cyclo-cross World Cup in Maasmechelen, Belgium, and Hoogerheide, the Netherlands, on January 25 and 26, 2025. These events served as crucial preparations for the UCI World Championships in Liévin, France, on February 2, 2025.

Looking ahead, van der Poel’s participation in upcoming races remains uncertain. The team has not provided specific details regarding his schedule beyond the World Championships. Given the nature of his injury and the demands of the cyclo-cross season, it is anticipated that he will continue to monitor his recovery closely before committing to future competitions.

In summary, Mathieu van der Poel’s cyclo-cross season has been significantly impacted by a rib injury sustained in late December 2024. While he has made a successful return to racing, his future participation in events will depend on his ongoing recovery and the advice of his medical team. Fans and the cycling community remain hopeful for his swift return to form, given his exceptional talent and previous achievements.