Mathieu van der Poel has recently been declared fit to participate in the upcoming Criterium du Dauphine, a prestigious cycling event in which he has been included as part of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team. This announcement comes after an unfortunate incident during his last race, where he fell just six minutes in, losing balance on the first lap, and subsequently crashed over his handlebars in a second mishap that led to his withdrawal from the competition. Fortunately, Alpecin-Deceuninck has confirmed that van der Poel has “recovered sufficiently” to resume racing, allowing fans to see him back in action on the road.
In his preparation for the Tour de France, which is set to take place later this summer, van der Poel had to miss the early segment of his team’s training camp in the Alps. However, instead of modifying his training regimen, the team has opted to allow him to compete in the Criterium du Dauphine, which serves as a crucial warm-up for the more significant event. He will be supported by a solid roster of teammates, including Tobias Bayer, Lars Boven, Michael Gogl, Xandro Meurisse, Johan Price-Pejtersen, and Gianni Vermeesch, all of whom will aim to help van der Poel make a strong return to competitive racing.
The course for the Criterium du Dauphine is expected to align well with van der Poel’s strengths, particularly in stages 1, 2, 3, and 5, which are characterized by undulating terrain that suits his riding style. This event marks a significant moment for van der Poel, as it will be his first road race since an impressive showing during the Classics campaign, where he achieved remarkable victories at iconic races such as Milan-San Remo, E3 Saxo Classic, and Paris-Roubaix. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he performs as he transitions back into competitive context after some time off.
The 2025 Criterium du Dauphine kicks off on June 8 and is set to run until June 15. Spanning eight stages, this annual race poses a challenging course for the riders, notably without any rest days. This format ensures that participants face rigorous competition day after day, testing their endurance, strategy, and skill throughout the event.
For those keen to follow the action of the 2025 Criterium du Dauphine, coverage will be available every day through TNT Sports and discovery+. TNT Sports provides extensive viewing options across all significant television platforms, featuring up to four dedicated channels including TNT Sports 1 through TNT Sports 4, as well as up to six additional digital channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10). Moreover, fans can access TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports Box Office HD for enhanced viewing experiences. Subscriptions for TNT Sports can be obtained through various providers such as discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media, making it easier than ever for cycling enthusiasts to stream events.
The anticipation leading up to the 2025 cycling season, which includes the Criterium du Dauphine, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España, is palpable, and the excitement is boosted by the potential performances of riders like van der Poel. As the cycling world tunes in for these pivotal events, all eyes will be watching how the athletes navigate the demanding courses and strive for glory in their respective competitions.
