Van der Poel opts for road race at Olympics ahead of mountain bikes / Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT - AFP/File
-
Juventus, Palace cruise to Europa League wins, Bournemouth beat Sociedad
-
Venezuela unblocks some censored news sites
-
Stocks climb as oil retreats, Fed calms inflation fears
-
Samba stars on debut in Man City rout of Norwich
-
Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags
-
Oversight Board blasts 'inadequate' Meta safeguards for AI deepfakes
-
Hispanics feel 'betrayed' on immigration, Republican warns Trump
-
The Easter Island origins of buzzy Malkovich drama 'Wild Horse Nine'
-
High-scoring Bears face Vikings in battle of NFL unbeatens
-
Third body recovered after Grand Canyon flash flood
-
'In our lane': Fed's Warsh defies Trump but still fighting for credibility
-
Harry makes first public appearance since return to UK
-
Trump admin makes major cut to endangered species protections
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India sweep series 3-0
-
Princess Diana's brother makes new explosive claims against Charles
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India sweep T20 series 3-0
-
Ovechkin on Russian political video: 'I support my country'
-
English FA calls for Infantino to release World Cup sell-off documents
-
Can we shut down AI?
-
GM delivers first components for US interceptor missiles
-
Teenager Sullivan named in new-look US squad
-
Trump admin overhauls key protection for endangered species
-
Travis Scott and Keith Richards feature on GTA VI soundtrack
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India post 221-7 against Afghanistan
-
AFP photo shows Trump examining image of apparent Kennedy Center razing
-
Macron hosts Lebanon security talks to back 'indispensable' army
-
Pochettino rings changes for USA friendlies
-
Final rally of season in Saudi Arabia cancelled due to Middle East conflict
-
Alonso says Chelsea ambition 'very clear' after end of Boehly era
-
Gaza documentary sparks political storm in Israel
-
Mbappe draws political fire over Ceuta t-shirt controversy
-
King Charles warns tech bosses of 'existential dangers' of AI
-
Third malaria death in Germany from outbreak tied to Frankfurt airport
-
French fishermen block ports over petrol prices
-
AtlasClear Holdings Reports Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Revenue of Approximately $20.1 Million, Up 85%; Revenue Plus Interest Income of Approximately $21.9 Million
-
AFP photo shows Trump examining image of Kennedy Center apparent demolition
-
Alonso says Chelsea ambition clear after end of Boehly era
-
Andersson vows to take Sweden in 'new direction' after election win
-
Micron's Taiwan workers say 68 months' bonus not enough
-
Turkey's Erdogan to run again in early 2028 vote, top adviser says
-
'Another arrow to the quiver': World Bank posts record private capital mobilization
-
Sweden's Andersson: a trusted, no-nonsense political operator
-
Macron hosts Lebanon security talks as UN mission nears end
-
Canada's Carney pushes 'new alliance' with EU despite Trump threats
-
From land to race laws: what's driving the US-South Africa rift?
-
Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Gaza
-
Beyond Investment Returns: Families Are Measuring Wealth by Freedom, Continuity, and Legacy, According to Nour Private Wealth
-
India's Tata Sons reappoints N. Chandrasekaran as chairman
-
King Charles disputes claims in book by Princess Diana's brother
-
Sweden's left-wing wins election thriller
Van der Poel opts for road race at Olympics ahead of mountain bikes
Dual world champion Mathieu van der Poel announced on Wednesday that he would not be competing in the mountain bike event at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, prefering to focus on his bid to win gold in the road event instead.
The Dutchman is a six-time cyclo-cross champion, winning his most recent title in Tabor in the Czech Republic in February.
Since then, however, Van der Poel, 29, who also won the road racing world championship last August, has returned to the road winning both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
“It's the most logical choice,” said Van der Poel in a statement from his Alpecin team which also confirmed that he will race in the Tour de France.
“This year, the combination is too complicated. My first part of the season was quite long with first the cyclo-cross and then, after a short break, the classics campaign up to Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
“If I wanted to concentrate entirely on mountain biking and be perfectly prepared, I'd have to start as early as next weekend in Nove Mesto, the Czech mountain bike World Cup stage.
"In consultation with my team, I opted instead for a longer rest period before starting preparation for the Tour de France and the Olympic road race without being pressed for time."
Van der Poel took part in his first Tour de France in 2021, winning the second stage and taking the yellow jersey which he wore for six days.
Winning the road race world championships in Glasgow in August has given him further reason to stick to the road for 2024.
“The fact that I'm currently wearing the rainbow jersey played an indirect role too," he admitted.
"It's a special year. As the world champion, I'd like to wear this jersey as much as possible.
"And I wouldn't want to miss the Tour de France either, which I consider to be the best possible preparation for the Olympics."
Grandson of French cyclist Raymond Poulidor, winner of the 1964 Vuelta a Espana and five-time runner-up on the Tour de France, Van der Poel took part in the mountain biking at the Tokyo Olympics but crashed out without a medal.
He added that he would “maybe go all out” for the mountain biking gold at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“That's still a long way off, but I'll be in a different phase of my career by then,” said Van der Poel.
P.A.Mendoza--AT