Mathieu van der Poel Threatens Retirement Over Team Switch — “I’m Not Wearing That Jersey”

 

Mathieu van der Poel Threatens Retirement Over Team Switch — “I’m Not Wearing That Jersey”

 

Mathieu van der Poel Threatens Retirement Over Team Switch — “I’m Not Wearing That Jersey”

Amsterdam, Netherlands — The cycling world is in shock after reports emerged late Thursday that Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel has threatened to retire if a rumored transfer to a rival WorldTour team goes ahead. The 29-year-old, widely considered one of the most versatile and dominant riders in modern cycling, has reportedly told his inner circle that he would “rather walk away from the sport” than wear the colors of the team pursuing him.

The explosive claim comes amid whispers that a high-profile WorldTour squad has tabled a multi-million-euro offer to buy van der Poel out of his contract with Alpecin–Deceuninck, the Belgian-based outfit he has ridden for since turning professional on the road. Multiple sources close to both teams say discussions have been “serious” and “financially significant,” with the prospective new team eager to build a Tour de France-winning roster around the reigning road world champion.

But van der Poel’s position appears unwavering. In a conversation reportedly overheard during a post-race gathering earlier this month, he was quoted as saying: “I’ve worked my whole career to be where I am, with the people I trust. I’m not wearing that jersey — not now, not ever.”

 

A Cycling Icon in His Prime

Van der Poel’s resistance to the move is rooted in more than loyalty — it’s tied to his identity as a rider. Since joining Alpecin–Deceuninck, he has been given the freedom to race across three disciplines — road, cyclo-cross, and mountain biking — a rare arrangement in today’s hyper-specialized cycling world. That flexibility has been instrumental to his success, which includes:

• Multiple Cyclo-cross World Championships.
• Monument victories at the Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix, and Milan–San Remo.
• A dramatic win at the 2023 UCI Road World Championships.
• Podium finishes in mountain biking at elite international events.

Industry insiders believe that the team pursuing him may not be willing to allow such a varied racing schedule, instead focusing solely on Grand Tour objectives. For van der Poel, who thrives on a diverse race calendar, such restrictions could be a deal-breaker.

 

The Rumored Destination

While no official confirmation has been given, speculation points to a major French WorldTour team as the likely suitor. This squad is believed to be offering one of the largest salaries in professional cycling history — figures being whispered range between €4.5 million and €5 million per year.

In addition to the money, the team is reportedly offering van der Poel full support in a Tour de France bid, including dedicated domestiques and leadership status for the classics season.

Yet for all the allure, the Dutchman’s answer has been firm: he’s not interested. The sticking point seems to be both the team’s corporate culture and its visual identity. The colors of the jersey, sources say, have personal associations that van der Poel is unwilling to embrace — though exactly why remains unclear.

 

Fans React: Loyalty Over Money

The news of van der Poel’s stance has lit up social media, with fans praising his loyalty to Alpecin–Deceuninck and his refusal to be swayed by massive financial incentives.

One popular comment on a cycling forum read: “This is why MVDP is different. He rides because he loves the sport, not just for the paycheck.” Another added: “If the jersey doesn’t feel right to him, then respect to him for standing his ground. We need more riders like that.”

However, some have taken a more pragmatic view, arguing that a move to a Grand Tour-focused team could add another dimension to his already glittering career. “Imagine van der Poel with a Tour team built entirely around him — he could rewrite history,” one fan speculated.

 

Behind the Scenes: Business and Contracts

Professional cycling doesn’t operate under a trade system like American sports leagues. Instead, riders are bound by contracts, and transfers typically require either the expiration of a contract or a buyout — a financial arrangement where the new team pays a lump sum to the current team to release the rider.

Van der Poel is currently under contract with Alpecin–Deceuninck until the end of the 2027 season, meaning any move now would require a substantial buyout. Given his market value, that figure could easily exceed €6 million, making it one of the most expensive transfers in cycling history.

Team manager Christoph Roodhooft has declined to comment directly on the rumors, telling Belgian media only: “Mathieu is our rider, and we intend for him to stay our rider.”

Possible Personal Reasons

While money, contract terms, and race schedules are all factors, there may be more personal motivations at play. Some in the peloton have hinted at long-standing rivalries between van der Poel’s current team and the rumored suitor, dating back to contentious moments in major races. Others have pointed out that van der Poel is a deeply loyal figure — not just to his team, but to the staff, mechanics, and support crew who have been with him since his early professional days.

The phrase “I’m not wearing that jersey” could be symbolic, representing more than just the team’s colors — perhaps a rejection of an entire philosophy or corporate approach that doesn’t align with his values.

 

Impact on the 2025 Season

If the standoff continues, it’s unlikely to affect van der Poel’s racing plans for 2025 in the short term. He is already scheduled to target another classics campaign, with Paris–Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders high on his priority list, followed by a possible appearance at the mountain bike World Championships later in the year.

However, insiders say the public revelation of his resistance to a transfer may strengthen his leverage in future contract negotiations, ensuring he retains his preferred race calendar and full decision-making power over his schedule.

 

Could He Really Retire?

While “retirement threats” in sports are sometimes seen as negotiation tactics, those who know van der Poel best say he is not prone to empty words. He has previously hinted that he might not race deep into his late 30s and has been open about balancing his professional career with a desire for a fulfilling life outside of cycling.

“If Mathieu says something, he means it,” said a close friend and fellow rider. “If he says he’s not wearing that jersey, you can believe him. He’d walk away before compromising what makes him happy in the sport.”

The Road Ahead

For now, the situation remains fluid. Alpecin–Deceuninck appears determined to hold onto their marquee rider, while the mystery team behind the offer has not yet withdrawn interest. Whether this ends in a firm commitment from van der Poel to stay, or escalates into a full-blown transfer battle, will likely be decided in the coming weeks.

In a sport where contracts, money, and prestige often drive decisions, Mathieu van der Poel’s stance is a reminder of something rare: that for some athletes, the jersey on their back — and the people behind it — mean more than any paycheck.

As the cycling community waits for official statements, one thing is certain: the man in the rainbow bands is not ready to swap them for colors he doesn’t believe in. And if that means walking away, he seems prepared to do exactly that.