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Mathieu van der Poel Shifts to Mountain Bikes Ahead of Montreal Races

2026-08-11 · Mathieu van der Poel · Player Focus

On 30 Aug 2026, Mathieu van der Poel will line up for the mountain-bike world championships in Val di Sole, Italy, marking a decisive shift from his recent Tour de France triumph on the Champs-Élysées.

Why the switch to mountain bikes now?

After soloing past Tadej Pogačar and winning on the iconic Paris finish, van der Poel announced his focus would turn to cross-country racing. He has been training on a Canyon Lux World Cup bike around Livigno, not as a casual ride but as preparation for the upcoming world championships. The move aligns with his long-term goal of adding a mountain-bike world title to his already impressive cyclocross and road-world accolades.

What does the Montreal schedule mean?

From Val Sole, van der Poel plans a quick bike change to compete in the GP Québec and GP Montréal events. These races are slated for late September, giving him less than a month to transition back to road-style competition. Success in both would echo the feats of Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, who captured four world titles within three months in 2023.

How does this affect his Olympic outlook?

Van der Poel’s mountain-bike ambitions are tied to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A strong performance at the 2026 worlds could solidify his bid for Olympic gold in cross-country. He has already secured a road world title in Glasgow, and his cyclocross record is well-established, leaving the mountain-bike rainbow as the final piece of his triple-crown vision.

  • 30 Aug 2026 - World Championships start in Val Sole.
  • Late Sep 2026 - GP Québec and GP Montréal on the calendar.
  • Van der Poel aims to join a select group of riders holding world titles across three disciplines.
  • Success could boost his chances for 2028 Olympic mountain-bike gold.

What’s next for the Dutch star?

The next few weeks will see van der Poel fine-tuning his XC form ahead of the Les Gets World Cup round in mid-August. After the world championships, he will likely return to road training, targeting a seamless transition for the Canadian GP events. Fans can expect a blend of high-speed road tactics and rugged mountain-bike skill as he pursues an unprecedented dual-discipline campaign.

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