Mathieu Van der Poel targets rainbow jersey in new discipline as he chases ‘last piece of the puzzle’

Mathieu van der Poel is enjoying another strong start to a season, winning his seventh cyclo-cross world title before transferring that form back onto the road with victory in Milano-Sanremo for Alpecin-Deceuninck. As he prepares to take on the E3 Saxo Classic this week ahead of the Tour of Flanders, the Dutchman has revealed what he feels is missing from his rather packed CV.

Fresh from victory in Milano-Sanremo, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has ridden into some good form as he heads back to Belgium for the E3 Saxo Classic, a standard warm-up for riders looking to do well in the Tour of Flanders.

But the Dutchman has bigger goals for this season than just the Spring Classics, with the multidisciplinary world champion targeting another rainbow jersey.

Van der Poel is a seven-time cyclo-cross world champion already, beating arch-rival Wout van Aert to the title in February - and those two are set to resume their rivalry in the E3 Saxo Classic this week.

E3 Saxo Classic

E3 Saxo Classic 2025: How to watch as Van Aert and Van der Poel go head-to-head

27/03/2025 at 18:05

He is also a road race world champion, winning in Glasgow back in 2023. But now it seems Van der Poel has turned his attention to another discipline - mountain bikes.

"It would be really cool to become world champion mountain biking one day. That feels like the last piece of the puzzle of my career," he said, reported by Cyclinguptodate.

"I would really like to tick off that title. If I stop and the world title in mountain biking is missing, that would be the only thing I would think at the moment: too bad. For the rest, it doesn't really matter to me."

‘Pure drama’ as Van der Poel edges Pogacar at Milano-Sanremo - ‘What on earth have we just seen?!’

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 30-year-old has a pair of Paris-Roubaix victories to add to his illustrious CV, along with wins in the Amstel Gold Race, Strade Bianche and a host of other classics.

Add in a stage of the Tour de France, and there is not much missing for Van der Poel - bar a mountain biking title, it seems.  

That could change this year, as he says he is trying to make the MTB World Championships, which take place in Switzerland from August 30. 

"It is an ideal moment to focus on mountain biking again and to make the world title a big goal after the Tour de France," he said.

• Tadej Pogacar to take on 2025 Paris-Roubaix as highly anticipated 'Hell of the North' debut confirmed for superstar
• Gent-Wevelgem 2025: How to watch the Belgian Spring Classic as Tadej Pogacar looks set to ride

"The plan is to do a few World Cup races too. If it’s possible, I definitely want to do it. But that is only possible if it fits within my schedule."

The Tour de France runs until July 27, leaving Van der Poel a month to try and switch disciplines. 

He will be aided by the fact that Tom Pidcock seems set to concentrate on road racing this season after his swap to Q36.5 Pro Cycling - Pidcock being a two-time Olympic gold medallist in mountain biking.

As for Van der Poel’s immediate concerns, the E3 Saxo Classic is next on his schedule, with the 209km race featuring a resumption of his rivalry with Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike). 

Those two might not have it all their own way though, with Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) also in the field.

The race is a typical warm-up for the Tour of Flanders that follows on Sunday, April 6 - but that is not to say it is not a challenge in its own right, the hilly route turning into a flat finish that on paper could suit the sprinters, unless rain plays a part.

Van der Poel is the defending champion, having ridden away in wet and wild conditions last year when Van Aert suffered a crucial crash. 

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG) is not in the field for the E3 Saxo Classic, instead opting to ride Gent-Wevelgem this Sunday.

- - -

Stream top cycling action, including the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, live and on-demand on TNT Sports and discovery+

E3 Saxo Classic

Van Aert eyes third E3 Saxo Classic crown with 'tried and tested recipe'

27/03/2025 at 17:09

Giro d'Italia

'Get your popcorn out' – Ciccone, Rubio involved in ‘angry’ exchange during Stage 19

8 hours ago