Mathieu van der Poel has officially outlined his race schedule for the 2025 road season, opting out of the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda. Instead, the Dutch cycling star will shift his focus to the Mountain Bike World Championships, where he will compete against Tom Pidcock for the coveted title. Van der Poel will also chase history at the Tour of Flanders, aiming for an unprecedented fourth victory in the iconic race as he builds momentum for the Tour de France.
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Mathieu van der Poel’s 2025 Racing Plans Revealed
The seven-time cyclo-cross world champion will again swap mud for tarmac as he gears up for a packed 2025 road season. Having equalled Erik De Vlaeminck’s record for the most cyclo-cross world titles, Van der Poel now shifts his attention to the spring classics and the Grand Tours.
His season will kick off with Tirreno-Adriatico in March, a deviation from his traditional race program. Van der Poel confirmed that this adjustment is a strategic move to optimize his preparation for Milan-San Remo, an event he considers a priority.
Van der Poel mentioned in a press conference that Tirreno-Adriatico serves as the ideal preparation for Milan-San Remo. He last competed in the Italian stage race in 2021, securing victories on stages three and five. He will return to this prestigious event as part of his fine-tuning process for the classics.
Milan-San Remo and Tour of Flanders: Chasing More Glory
A key fixture in Van der Poel’s calendar is Milan-San Remo, where he will compete for the fifth consecutive year. Having triumphed in 2023, he remains determined to add another victory to his list of accomplishments.
Later in the spring, he will target the E3 Saxo Classic before focusing on the Tour of Flanders. No rider has won De Ronde more than three times, giving Van der Poel the chance to carve his name into the history books should he claim his fourth title.
Despite the allure of breaking records, Van der Poel insists his focus remains on performance rather than statistics. Am I aiming to become the first rider to win the Tour of Flanders four times? It’s like the Cyclo-cross World Championships: I’m more concerned with the race than the record,” he explained.
Paris-Roubaix and Tour de France Aspirations
Following Flanders, Van der Poel will set his sights on a third consecutive victory at Paris-Roubaix, another prestigious Monument he has dominated in recent years. Securing back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2024, he now aims for a historic three-peat.
With the classics behind him, the Dutchman will shift gears to his most ambitious challenge yet: the Tour de France. His 2024 campaign ended in disappointment, finishing 96th overall. However, he is determined to improve his performance in the 2025 edition and recapture the form that saw him claim a Tour stage victory in 2021.
Skipping the UCI Road World Championships for Mountain Bike Glory
One of the most notable decisions in Van der Poel’s 2025 campaign is skipping the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda. Instead, he will take on Tom Pidcock and other elite competitors at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Crans, Montana, Switzerland.
“I’d have no chance of winning in Rwanda,” Van der Poel admitted. This decision underscores his dedication to off-road competition, where he has consistently demonstrated world-class ability.
Additionally, Van der Poel confirmed he would not participate in Gent-Wevelgem or Dwars door Vlaanderen, citing a stronger preference for securing additional Tour of Flanders victories over adding new titles to his collection.
Mathieu van der Poel’s 2025 Race Schedule
- Tirreno-Adriatico – March 10-16
- Milan-San Remo – March 22
- E3 Saxo Classic – March 28
- Tour of Flanders – April 6
- Paris-Roubaix – April 13
- Tour de France – July 5-31
- Mountain Bike World Championships – August 30 – September 14
Van der Poel’s diverse racing calendar showcases his versatility and hunger for success across multiple disciplines. Whether on the road, cobbles, or trails, the Dutch star is set to make 2025 another unforgettable season.
