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Mathieu Van Poel smashes it up on skis and in Lamborghini: from world champion on the bike to drifting king in the Alps… See details
For Mathieu van der Poel, this week is all about skiing rather than biking! The Dutchman, who won his seventh cyclo-cross world title in Liévin last Sunday, increasing his total number of rainbow jerseys across all cycling disciplines to twelve, is spending a well-deserved vacation in Livigno, Italy, with his girlfriend, Roxanne Bertels.
Van der Poel had a packed winter schedule. He returned to cyclo-cross in Zonhoven at the end of December and, despite a rib injury, dominated all eight races he entered. The highlight? His victory at the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Liévin, France, where he claimed his seventh world title, matching the legendary Erik De Vlaeminck.
And what better way to reward himself than with a ski trip? That’s exactly what Van der Poel did. Along with his beloved Bertels and some close friends, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider headed to the Italian ski paradise of Livigno. And, of course, fans get to enjoy the adventure too, thanks to the pictures shared on social media.
Winter joy on skis and in Lambos
But what about the traditional ski vacation? That is not Van der Poel’s style. While he’ll most likely forego the après-ski scene to focus on the next spring season, there’s still time for some high-octane fun in the Italian Alps!Lamborghini, a sponsor of Van der Poel, can also be found in Livigno, according to social media posts.
Spectacular footage shows the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix winner drifting on the ice in the Italian Alps in a Lamborghini. And not just in one car from the Italian car brand—videos shared by Lamborghini Antwerp show Van der Poel test-driving multiple models, clearly enjoying the experience.
But is a ski trip really the smartest idea with a demanding spring season just around the corner? Over the past few days, many analysts and former pros have shared their opinions. Greg Van Avermaet, a Paris-Roubaix winner like Van der Poel, believes it’s not the wisest decision—especially considering the intense racing calendar ahead.
And the Dutchman will have a very busy spring. Van der Poel revealed last week that his season will begin at either Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico, before moving on to his first major aim, Milan-San Remo. After completing the first Monument, he plans to focus on Holy Week of Classics and strive for another peak performance.
Before returning to training for one-day classics, he’s enjoying his time in the snow, similar to Thibau Nys. The Belgian, who won bronze in Liévin last Sunday, has also taken a ski holiday. His Instagram photos reveal he is enjoying the break as much as Van der Poel. “Having a great time here,” the European champion replied dryly.
