He has secured eight monuments and world championships across three distinct disciplines: cyclocross, gravel, and the finest of all – road. “I would truly enjoy winning the latter,” says the Brit.
The upcoming chapter of Tom Pidcock’s 2025 season with Q36.5 will see him compete in the Vuelta a España, aiming for a top-10 finish in the general classification. However, this Grand Tour commitment will force him to forgo a potential head-to-head clash with Mathieu van der Poel at the Mountain Bike World Championships in September.
Pidcock admitted it was “a pity” he would not have the opportunity to battle against the Dutch superstar, as the third week of the Vuelta directly coincides with MTB Worlds. The Q36.5 team recently received a wildcard entry for another Grand Tour this year, meaning Pidcock will instead focus on the roads of Spain rather than the technical trails of the World Championships in Switzerland.
Pidcock and Van der Poel are widely regarded as two of the finest multi-discipline cyclists in the peloton, excelling across road racing, cyclocross, and mountain biking. Their careers often invite comparisons – both from the public and the media – and Pidcock addressed this topic in detail during a recent interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“He’s one of the best in the world, which is why I love competing with him. Indeed, I may have wins he desires, but Mathieu is significantly ahead of me regarding major road triumphs,” Pidcock said.
Van der Poel’s achievements in cycling are remarkable: eight monuments and world championship titles across three separate disciplines – cyclocross, gravel, and road – with the road triumphs being the most prestigious. Pidcock openly acknowledged that adding a major road victory of his own remains one of his key career ambitions.
The 25-year-old Brit described his rivalry with Van der Poel as one built on mutual respect rather than hostility. “There are resemblances in certain aspects. I believe we both intuitively appreciate cycling in a slightly more playful way. I don’t merely focus on figures. Certainly, we are distinct athletes – I’m lighter and smaller, significantly more of a climber. Mathieu is among the top experts in Classics.”
Van der Poel, 30, has carved his name into cycling history with monumental wins such as the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and the World Road Race Championship. His versatility has also allowed him to switch disciplines seamlessly, often incorporating mountain bike events into his road seasons.
In recent years, Van der Poel has targeted MTB events toward the end or middle of his successful road campaigns – notably competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2023 UCI World Championships in Scotland. His ability to balance multiple disciplines has earned admiration from fans and fellow riders alike.
For Pidcock, the decision to skip MTB Worlds in 2025 is a strategic one. The Vuelta offers him the chance to test himself over three weeks against some of the best stage racers in the world. A top-10 general classification finish would mark a significant milestone in his career, strengthening his credentials as a Grand Tour contender.
While he has already achieved major victories in mountain biking – including Olympic gold in Tokyo and multiple World Cup wins – Pidcock is eager to broaden his palmarès on the road. Competing in the Vuelta will also allow him to gain valuable experience in stage racing tactics, recovery, and consistency over a demanding route.
The absence of a Pidcock-Van der Poel duel at MTB Worlds will disappoint many fans, as their clashes have produced memorable racing moments in the past. Whether it is in cyclocross, on the road, or in mountain biking, the two riders bring an intensity and unpredictability that make them box-office attractions.
Still, Pidcock’s 2025 campaign promises excitement on multiple fronts. His participation in the Vuelta, backed by Q36.5’s wildcard opportunity, underlines the team’s growing ambitions in top-level cycling. For Van der Poel, the MTB Worlds will present a chance to add yet another rainbow jersey to his collection – this time without his British rival on the start line.
Fans will now have to wait for another occasion to witness the latest chapter in their rivalry. But given the careers both men are building – full of cross-discipline brilliance – it seems inevitable that Pidcock and Van der Poel will share many more start lines in the years to come.
