The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has been causing headaches and altering schedules already for riders with the prospects of winning gold medals. Mathieu van der Poel is one of the riders who will have to ride an unorthodox calendar to ensure he, first qualifies, then has a chance to fight for victory at the mountain bike cross-country event and road race in Paris.
Van der Poel, a champion across both disciplines, has made it clear he wants to target the mountain bike race at the Olympics and rectify his disappointing appearance in Tokyo, that saw him crash on the opening lap and injure his back.
