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<\/p>\nMathieu van der Poel’s brother explains why MVDP loves mountain biking so much as he chases the world title in Switzerland<\/p>\n
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Van der Poel has struggled with mountain biking’s technical challenges. (Photo: THOMAS SAMSON\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Updated September 13, 2025 10:26AM<\/p>\n
On Sunday, in the Swiss ski resort of Crans Montana, Mathieu van der Poel will attempt to become the first male rider to win the world title in four different disciplines. Having already captured no fewer than seven rainbow jerseys in cyclo-cross and also claimed world titles on the road (Glasgow 2023) and on gravel (Leuven 2024), the Dutchman will be aiming to add the world mountain bike championship to his collection.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Sporza, his older brother and ex-pro David van der Poel has said that his younger sibling is hugely motivated by the possibility of victory in Switzerland, especially because he has a particular passion for mountain biking, a discipline that he keeps coming back to.<\/p>\n
\u201cUntil we were 16, we combined different sports, but from the beginning our main focus was on cyclo-cross,\u201d said David van der Poel. He went on to explain that Mathieu began to dabble in mountain biking, \u201cmainly because he was initially looking for extra challenges alongside cyclo-cross.\u201d<\/p>\n
That search for a new challenge quickly developed into something more, according to the older of the Van der Poel brothers. \u201cI do think that mountain biking is his favorite type of cycling, yes. If he could choose which bike to ride for fun, that bike would be at the top of the list,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
David van der Poel went on to explain the particular attraction that mountain biking has for his brother. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit more extreme than cyclo-cross and requires more technique. That appeals to him: the shorter, more intense efforts requiring technique, the beautiful nature and the stunning courses. It\u2019s an attractive combination.\u201d<\/p>\n
David van der Poel went on to describe mountain biking as \u201cthe most underrated branch of cycling, both physically and technically\u201d, and also highlighted why it\u2019s so difficult a challenge for his multi-talented brother. \u201cYou have to put a lot of time and energy into it to master it completely. Controlling the bike takes a lot of time, and Mathieu hasn\u2019t always had that time. That makes it more difficult to just take it on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Of course, the biggest hurdle between Mathieu van der Poel and a concerted push for mountain bike titles, both at the World Championships and at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has been his commitment to road racing, partly as a result of the demands of his team and its sponsors, who \u201cgain more visibility on the road\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith his status, he couldn\u2019t and can\u2019t focus solely on mountain biking,\u201d said David van der Poel. \u201cHe now has a different status on the road, but he used to find road cycling a bit boring and needed that variety,\u201d he continued. He also explained that his brother\u2019s Alpecin-Deceuninck team have accommodated his passion for mountain biking because they know that they\u2019ll get a happier racer on the road. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the reasons why he\u2019ll probably ride with the same team for his entire career.\u201d<\/p>\n