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Mathieu van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel is a Dutch professional cyclist born in Kapellen, Belgium, who competes in road racing, cyclocross, mountain biking and gravel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mathieu van der Poel is a Dutch professional cyclist born in Kapellen, Belgium, who competes in road racing, cyclocross, mountain biking and gravel. He is one of the most successful all-round cyclists of his era, with world titles in road race, cyclocross and gravel, and victories in major one-day classics.

Early life and family

Van der Poel was born in Kapellen, Belgium, into a cycling family. His father is Adri van der Poel, and his grandfather was Raymond Poulidor, both prominent professional cyclists.

Cycling career

He turned professional in 2014 and developed into an elite rider across several disciplines. He is especially known for his success in cyclocross and major road races.

Major achievements

Van der Poel has won world titles in cyclocross, road racing and gravel, making him the first male cyclist to do so. He has also won several of cycling's biggest one-day races, including Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.

Racing style and reputation

He is widely regarded as a versatile, aggressive rider with strong technical skills. His success spans both off-road and road events.

Key facts

  • Van der Poel is a Dutch professional cyclist born in 1995 in Kapellen, Belgium.
  • He races in multiple disciplines, including road, cyclocross, mountain biking and gravel.
  • He has won world championships in road racing, cyclocross and gravel.
  • He has won several cycling Monuments, including Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.
  • He is the grandson of French cyclist Raymond Poulidor and the son of former Dutch cyclist Adri van der Poel.

Frequently asked questions

What nationality is Mathieu van der Poel?
He is Dutch.
What disciplines does Mathieu van der Poel race in?
He competes in road cycling, cyclocross, mountain biking and gravel events.
Which team does Mathieu van der Poel ride for?
He rides for Alpecin–Deceuninck.
What are Mathieu van der Poel's biggest wins?
His major wins include the UCI Road World Championship, the UCI Cyclocross World Championship, the UCI Gravel World Championship, and Monuments such as Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders.
Is Mathieu van der Poel from the Netherlands?
Yes, he is Dutch, although he was born in Kapellen, Belgium.

References

  1. Olympics.com — https://www.olympics.com/fr/athletes/mathieu-van-der-poel
    Supports: Birth date and place, family background, early career, and professional debut.
  2. Domestique Cycling — https://www.domestiquecycling.com/en/riders/mathieu-van-der-poel/
    Supports: Team affiliation, disciplines, major wins, and world championship achievements.
  3. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathieu_van_der_Poel
    Supports: Date and place of birth, disciplines, and Monument victories.
  4. ProCyclingStats — https://www.procyclingstats.com/rider/mathieu-van-der-poel
    Supports: Date of birth, nationality, height, and rider profile.
  5. Cyclocross24 — https://cyclocross24.com/de/rider/mathieu-van-der-poel/
    Supports: Birthplace, nationality, height, weight, and rider classification.