Is the current double world champion, Mathieu van der Poel, gearing up for a triathlon? While everyone acknowledges his skills as a cyclist and his running skills, owing to his cyclocross expertise, a recent bet might see him adding swimming to his repertoire of cycling and running.
The wager unfolded on the YouTube channel Average Rob during a segment featuring the Dutchman alongside YouTubers Average Rob and Arno the Kid. In the initial video, Van der Poel pledged that if it reached 10,000 likes, he would teach the duo mountain biking. With the channel boasting over 400,000 subscribers, this target was swiftly met.
In the subsequent video titled “Becoming a Mountain Bike Champion ft. Mathieu van der Poel,” Average Rob upped the stakes. He proposed that if the video reached 42,000 likes, the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader would have to tackle an Ironman. Van der Poel, after a moment of contemplation, broke into a smile, sealing the deal with a handshake.
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The video exceeded expectations with an impressive 66,000 likes. Consequently, it now seems inevitable that the Dutchman will take on the monumental challenge of an Ironman event.
The significant question remains: given Van der Poel’s already hectic schedule as the current road and cyclocross world champion, when will he find the time for such an event? Additionally, can he successfully conquer a 3.8 km swim and a marathon run, considering his unquestionable prowess in a 180 km ride?
Van der Poel wouldn’t be the first professional cyclist to venture into triathlons. In October, Greg Van Avermaet tried his hand at a gravel version, and Cameron Wurf of the Ineos Grenadiers team is a renowned Ironman triathlete. Canada’s current ITT national champion, Paula Findlay, is also a multiple ITU world champion. Not to forget, there’s a certain Lance guy who initially began his career in triathlons before transitioning to professional cycling.
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