Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch cycling superstar, recently enjoyed a well-deserved break following his seventh cyclocross world title victory. His triumph in Liévin not only secured him a record-equalling seventh world title but also placed him in the history books alongside the legendary Erik De Vlaeminck. After an impressive season, Van der Poel chose to unwind in the mountains, a tradition he embraces every winter.
This time, the all-rounder took some time off to relax with his girlfriend Roxanne Bertels and a few close friends, including Melanie Peetermans, partner of fellow cyclist Jasper Philipsen. While most people expect peaceful moments in the mountains, it seems that even high up on the slopes, Van der Poel isn’t free from unwanted attention.
While enjoying a ski lift ride, Van der Poel found himself uncomfortable due to a persistent fan who began filming him without permission. At first, the rider thought the man simply wanted to take a photo, but he soon realized that the fan had started recording a video. Despite his visible irritation, Van der Poel kept his composure, and although Peetermans offered to intervene and ask the fan to stop, Van der Poel chose not to escalate the situation. The video, lasting about 30 seconds, was later deleted, but the incident left Van der Poel understandably annoyed.
For someone of his stature, it’s clear that privacy can be hard to come by, even during moments of rest. Nonetheless, Van der Poel remains proud of his recent achievements, especially his world title. Reflecting on his career, he admitted that when he first started cycling, winning even a single world championship felt like an impossible dream. “At that moment, you don’t think about seven titles for a second. So I am definitely proud of it,” he said, highlighting the sense of accomplishment that accompanies such a remarkable achievement.
With his seventh world title under his belt, Van der Poel also shared his thoughts on how his mindset has evolved over the years. He admitted that this year, he felt less stress than ever before going into the World Championships. “Why is that? Age, I think. You get older, you evolve. And I’ve already won much more than I ever thought. Everything that comes with it now is surplus. That knowledge gives peace.”
This newfound tranquility is set to benefit Van der Poel as he prepares for the upcoming road season. With Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix marked as his key goals, the cycling world is eagerly awaiting what the Dutchman will accomplish next. But for now, he’s enjoying his break, despite the occasional interruptions from overzealous fans.
