Mathieu van der Poel targets mountain bike and road world titles

Following his victory on the Champs-Élysées during the Tour de France, Mathieu van der Poel has shifted his focus toward the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, scheduled for August 30. The Dutch rider is currently conducting a training camp in Livigno, Italy, to prepare for the event. Van der Poel has expressed a long-standing ambition to become the mountain bike world champion.

Looking further ahead, Van der Poel is also targeting the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, Canada. Analyst José De Cauwer notes that while Tadej Pogačar remains a top favorite for the road title, the course in Montréal may offer Van der Poel a significant opportunity. Unlike other nations that may have multiple leaders, the Netherlands is expected to support Van der Poel as its primary contender for the road championship.