Mathieu van der Poel skips Vuelta a España in lead-in to Worlds title defence

Mathieu van der Poel won't be in the Alpecin-Deceuninck squad at the Vuelta a España
Mathieu van der Poel won't be in the Alpecin-Deceuninck squad at the Vuelta a España (Image credit: Getty Images)

Reigning road world champion Mathieu van der Poel is heading to Zürich to defend his title on September 29, but the Dutchman won't be racing the Vuelta a España as preparation.

Van der Poel won last year's world title in Glasgow in August hot off the Tour de France but he won't have a recent Grand Tour in his legs as he heads to Switzerland in late Septmeber.

Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. She has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel, and her favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from 2024 include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.

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