Reigning UCI World Road Race Champion Mathieu van der Poel may be the next cyclist to transition to long distance triathlon, with the Dutch athlete agreeing to race an Ironman in a recent YouTube video.
The five time World Cyclocross Champion, who has also worn the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, could potentially follow in the footsteps of Team INEOS Grenadiers rider Cam Wurf if he takes to multisport.
Agreeing to race a long distance triathlon if his recent video with YouTuber ‘Average Rob‘ surpassed 42,000 likes, the 28 year old may now be regretting his promise, with the video on 89,000 likes and counting.
How well could MVDP do?
If van der Poel chooses to race full distance triathlon, his potential could be limitless, as Wurf has shown in recent years as the Australian juggled professional cycling with competing on the biggest stage in triathlon.
Wurf, who may well be the anomaly with his talent of being able to turn his hand to any endurance sport, finished fifth at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2019 and has won and finished on the podium of a number of top tier events.
Other former or current professional cyclists such as Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte have a history in triathlon or have shared an interest in Ironman, but it is the Tasmanian Wurf who has done it best.
Moving in the other direction, Olympic triathletes Paula Findlay and Taylor Knibb have proven themselves to be talented time trialists this season, as Knibb signed with Trek-Segafredo and Findlay represented Team Canada at the UCI Time Trial World Championship in 2023.
Whilst it’s likely van der Poel, who is in his cycling prime, will only race an Ironman as a personal challenge for now, the Dutchman will have the eyes of the entire triathlon world on him whenever he chooses to take the start line, as long course triathlon looks for its next potential Wurf-esque star.
