Van der Poel & Vollering: MTB Return & Race Drama
- Mathieu van der Poel remains focused on the mountain bike (MTB) world championships in Switzerland this September, despite a recent crash.
- Van der Poel, 30, sustained a wrist injury in May during a race in Nové Město, bringing back memories of his challenging experience at the Tokyo Olympics.
- Despite the setback, Van der Poel is resolute to improve."Setbacks are part of sport.
Mathieu van der Poel is back, aiming for the MTB world championships despite a recent wrist injury, showcasing his grit and determination to compete at the highest level. The cycling world is watching as Van der Poel,already a champion in road,cyclocross,and gravel racing,sets his sights on the mountain bike rainbow jersey. Simultaneously occurring, Demi Vollering faced unexpected drama at the Volta a Catalunya Femenina, receiving a penalty for celebrating too early, yet still clinched the overall title. News Directory 3 provides insights into both of these captivating cycling stories.Van der Poel’s resilience and Vollering’s triumph underscore the unpredictable nature of the sport. Discover what’s next for these cycling stars.
Van der Poel Aims for MTB Worlds, Vollering Relegated After Celebration
Updated June 09, 2025
Mathieu van der Poel remains focused on the mountain bike (MTB) world championships in Switzerland this September, despite a recent crash. The reigning world champion in road,cyclocross,adn gravel racing confirmed his intentions while returning to road competition at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Van der Poel, 30, sustained a wrist injury in May during a race in Nové Město, bringing back memories of his challenging experience at the Tokyo Olympics. However,he remains committed to pursuing the mountain bike rainbow jersey. “that world championship is definitely still the goal,” Van der Poel told the dutch outlet AD. “I want to keep racing mountain biking; it’s something I really enjoy.”
Despite the setback, Van der Poel is resolute to improve.”Setbacks are part of sport. That only makes me more determined,” he stated. He added that he is motivated to prove his capabilities in mountain biking, regardless of external opinions.
back on the road at the Critérium du Dauphiné, Van der Poel expressed surprise at his performance in the opening stage, where he finished third. He acknowledged that he hadn’t been able to train much recently but was pleased with his performance.
In other cycling news, Demi Vollering received a fine and relegation at the Volta a Catalunya femenina after celebrating prematurely during the final stage. Vollering raised her arms to cheer teammate Loes Adegeest’s stage win, even though she had not yet crossed the finish line.
The UCI penalized Vollering for violating safety regulations, resulting in a deduction of UCI points, a fine of 100 Swiss francs, and relegation from sixth to 58th place.Despite the penalty, Vollering secured the overall title at the Catalunya race, marking her fourth GC title in four stage-race starts in 2025.
“I just didn’t have the legs right now. I couldn’t train much recently, but honestly, I’m quite happy with my performance.”
What’s next
Van der Poel hopes to participate in more MTB events following the Tour de France. Vollering aims to avoid premature celebrations in future races.