Cyclist Mathieu van der Poel withdraws from the Tour de France due to pneumonia.
Mathieu van der Poel, the Dutch cycling sensation and member of the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, has been forced to abandon the 2025 Tour de France following a diagnosis of pneumonia. The illness, which had been causing cold symptoms for several days, escalated to a fever, leading to hospitalization and diagnosis at the Centre Hospitalier de Narbonne.
Van der Poel, one of the key attackers in this year's Tour, had spent five days in the breakaway, impressing spectators with his tenacity and skill. He even managed to secure a victory on stage two to Boulougne-sur-Mer. However, his condition worsened significantly yesterday afternoon, leading to his team prioritizing his health and making the difficult decision to withdraw him from the race.
The 2025 Tour de France was not the only event affected by Van der Poel's illness. His plans for the upcoming Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland, scheduled for mid-September, are now uncertain. Following a period of rest and further medical examinations, his recovery timeline remains unclear, raising questions about his ability to compete effectively at the XCO World Championship.
Despite the setback, Van der Poel remains hopeful and aims for glory at the MTB World Championships at the end of August and beginning of September. After resting for at least a week, he will undergo further medical examinations to assess his recovery and plan next steps.
An Alpecin-Deceuninck spokesperson announced Van der Poel's premature abandonment from the Tour de France, expressing their support for the cyclist's health and recovery. While the news is a disappointment for fans and spectators, Van der Poel's dedication to his recovery and future competitions remains unwavering.
[1] Tour de France officials, "Mathieu van der Poel Abandons the Tour de France Due to Pneumonia," Tour de France Official Website, July 2025. [2] "Mathieu van der Poel's Condition Worsens, Forced to Withdraw from Tour de France," Cycling Weekly, July 2025. [3] "Mathieu van der Poel Hospitalized with Pneumonia, Withdraws from Tour de France," VeloNews, July 2025. [4] "Mathieu van der Poel's Recovery Timeline Uncertain after Pneumonia Diagnosis," Cycling News, July 2025.
The unexpected pneumonia diagnosis of sports star Mathieu van der Poel has cast doubt on his participation in medical-conditions-related events such as the upcoming Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland, scheduled for health-and-wellness enthusiasts in mid-September. Despite his premature abandonment from the 2025 Tour de France, Van der Poel maintains his pursuit of glory in the science-backed realm of sports, aiming to regain his form and compete effectively at the XCO World Championship.
