Mathieu van der Poel’s team have announced that he will miss the World Championships in Val di Sole due to back pain. The Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team shared the news on social media. Since his crash in the Tokyo Olympics from the ramp he said he’d been unaware was moved, Mathieu’s back problems have worsened.
According to reports, his back pain started before the Olympics. His focus will now be on upcoming road races. With no Tom Pidcock or MVDP at Val di Sole, we are still guaranteed to see some great racing. Tom was selected to race, but he is riding the Vuelta, so is unable to race in Val di Sole.
Mathieu was forced to pull out of his training camp earlier this month due to the pain. His coach has said MVDP would like to race as he wants redemption following his crash in Tokyo.
The Team will now focus their efforts on rehabilitation. According to reports, MVDP needs the UCI points, the consequence of not racing may mean he’s not eligible to race in next year’s short track races.
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It is now his intention to prepare for the goals in the next part of the season – including Paris–Roubaix – via the Benelux Tour, where he is the defending champion.
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