In a season many expected to mark the continued dominance of cycling prodigy Mathieu van der Poel, an unexpected and persistent shadow has fallen. The 29-year-old Dutch rider, known for his explosive power and dynamic versatility across road, cyclocross, and mountain biking, is once again grappling with a recurring illness — a condition his father and former world champion, Adrie van der Poel, believes stems from a crash that continues to haunt him physically and psychologically.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Adrie shed light on the nature of Mathieu’s ongoing health battle, offering insight not just into the physical toll the crash has taken but also into the invisible wounds that continue to hinder his son’s full return to form.
A Star Dimmed
Mathieu van der Poel’s career has been anything but ordinary. Bursting onto the professional scene with a pedigree rooted in cycling greatness — his grandfather Raymond Poulidor a beloved figure in French cycling lore and his father a decorated rider himself — Mathieu quickly set a standard that seemed almost superhuman.
Victories at the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race, Strade Bianche, and multiple World Cup cyclocross titles cemented his status as one of the most complete and exciting riders of his generation. His 2023 World Championship road race victory in Glasgow, won dominantly despite a crash in the final kilometers, was supposed to mark yet another chapter in a storied career. Instead, it may have written a different narrative altogether.
Shortly after that win, whispers began about Van der Poel’s health. What was initially dismissed as fatigue or seasonal illness soon became a pattern. Missed races, muted performances, and a palpable lack of the signature spark that once defined his every pedal stroke prompted questions. Now, those questions are being met with difficult answers.
Adrie’s Perspective: “He’s Not the Same”
“He’s not the same since the crash,” Adrie van der Poel said in an interview with Dutch cycling outlet WielerFlits. “It’s not just about the injuries he had then. Something changed after that — it’s like his body never fully recovered.”
The crash in question — during the World Championships in Glasgow — left Mathieu with a battered ankle and superficial wounds, yet he powered through to claim the rainbow jersey spectacularly. However, the weeks and months that followed were anything but smooth.
According to Adrie, that crash may have triggered a cascade of internal issues that are only now fully surfacing. “His immune system seems compromised. He’s been sick more than usual — not just once or twice, but repeatedly. And when he does try to return, it takes too much out of him.”
Adrie’s voice carried the weight of a concerned father more than a former champion. “We’ve had him checked, of course. The team doctors and specialists—they’re all involved. But you can’t always find a clear cause when the body is out of balance like this.”
A Career Caught in Limbo
For a rider like Van der Poel, who thrives on consistency and momentum, this recurring illness is particularly damaging. Not only has it forced him to miss key races this spring — including several of the Flemish Classics where he’s historically shone — but it has also cast a cloud over his ambitions for the rest of the season.
“He’s frustrated,” Adrie admitted. “Mathieu wants to race. He wants to be at the front, animating the race like he always does. But when your body doesn’t cooperate, that fire starts to burn in the wrong way. It turns inward.”
There were hopes that Van der Poel would feature in this year’s Paris-Roubaix or perhaps mount a stage win challenge in the Tour de France. Now, even a return to training remains uncertain, as the Alpecin–Deceuninck team continues to monitor his health day by day.
“He’s doing some light rides, but every time he pushes too much, it backfires,” said Adrie. “It’s like his system just shuts down.”
Not Just Physical: The Mental Toll
Beyond the physiological symptoms, Adrie pointed to another factor that has perhaps been underestimated — the psychological impact of the crash and its aftermath.
“We think of Mathieu as unbreakable because he rides like he’s fearless,” Adrie said. “But crashes have consequences, even for him. When your body fails you after a fall, when you keep getting sick and can’t understand why, it plays tricks on your mind. He’s started to question things he never used to.”
This emotional vulnerability is new territory for a rider whose confidence was once as defining as his sprinting power. According to those close to him, Mathieu has become more withdrawn in recent months, less vocal about his goals, and hesitant to commit to any future racing calendar.
“It’s hard as a parent to watch,” Adrie admitted. “You want to help, to fix it. But this isn’t something I can fix with advice or motivation. It’s about time, patience, and the right care.”
The Road Ahead
Despite the challenges, the Van der Poel camp is not without hope. The team is consulting a broader network of medical experts, including immunologists and nutritionists, to explore any potential causes behind the recurring illness. They are also being cautious, not rushing the recovery process, even at the expense of high-profile races.
Alpecin–Deceuninck team manager Christoph Roodhooft offered a brief statement earlier this week: “Mathieu is being closely monitored. We are prioritizing his health above all else. When he’s ready, he will return — but not before.”
For now, fans can only wait, hoping to see the champion return not just to the start line but to his full potential.
A Champion’s Crossroads
Mathieu van der Poel’s career has always been about breaking boundaries — switching disciplines effortlessly, defying race expectations, and thrilling spectators with audacious moves. But now, he faces a different kind of challenge. One that cannot be conquered by force of will or technical skill.
This chapter, written in pain, persistence, and uncertainty, may be his most defining yet.
As Adrie said best, “Everyone sees the victories. But true greatness is in how you face the times when nothing goes your way. This — this is his hardest race. And I know he’ll find a way.”
[Sidebar: Timeline of the Crash and Illness]
- August 2023: Wins UCI Road World Championship in Glasgow after late-race crash.
- September – October 2023: Experiences recurring illness symptoms, initially thought to be viral fatigue.
- December 2023: Misses several cyclocross events due to ongoing health concerns.
- March 2024: Withdraws from spring classics training; illness resurfaces after attempted comeback.
- April 2024: A public statement from Adrie van der Poel confirms lingering effects of the crash; a full return timetable remains unclear.
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