Mathieu van der Poel will not be using the last Grand Tour of the season to build up to his defence of the rainow jersey. The world championships are taking place in Zurich in 2024, and the Dutchman fully intends to try and bring home (another!) rainbow jersey.
Before the Tour de France’s final stages, he was unsure about participating in the European road championships in Belgium, two weeks before the world championships. He also kept the option of competing in the Vuelta a España open until after the Olympics.
Ultimately, he would finish twelfth in Paris in his bid for gold, thwarted by Remco Evenepoel and a cunning Belgian team.
According to Wielerflits, the reigning road (and ‘cross) world champion has decided not to race in the Vuelta a España this year. Rather, he will focus on races that better suit his preparation, though the details are still unknown.
More details on his upcoming program are expected soon. The road world championships begin September 21 and go to September 29.
