July 22, 2025: Dutch cycling star Mathieu van der Poel has been forced to withdraw from the 2025 Tour de France after being diagnosed with pneumonia, his Alpecin-Deceuninck team announced on Tuesday.
Van der Poel had participated in a short, symbolic coffee ride during Monday’s rest day, wearing a special kit honoring his legendary grandfather Raymond Poulidor. But behind the scenes, his health was rapidly deteriorating.
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“Mathieu had been experiencing mild cold symptoms over the past few days,” the team said in a statement. “Yesterday afternoon, his condition worsened significantly. Medical tests confirmed a diagnosis of pneumonia.”
Just hours before stage 16 to Mont Ventoux, the decision was made to pull Van der Poel from the race to prioritize his health.
“In consultation with medical staff, it was decided that he can no longer continue. His health is our top priority—rest and recovery are now essential,” the team added.
The 29-year-old rider will be sidelined for at least a week, with follow-up tests scheduled to monitor his recovery and guide the next phase of his rehabilitation.
Van der Poel had a standout moment earlier in the Tour, claiming victory in stage 2 and proudly wearing the yellow jersey for four days. At the time of his withdrawal, he was ranked 41st overall.