Alpecin-Deceuninck confirms: no Dutch National Cycling Championships for Mathieu van der Poel, because….

Mathieu van der Poel will not participate in the Dutch National Cycling Championships this year, as the event has been officially canceled due to a significant security-related conflict. The cancellation stems from the Dutch police’s inability to provide the necessary support for the championships, which were originally scheduled to take place in the Gelderland region, around Lochem and Nijmegen. The cause of the shortfall in police capacity is the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, a high-security event requiring extensive personnel resources from across the country.

The Dutch cycling federation (KNWU) explained that under normal circumstances, police presence is essential for securing the race route, managing traffic, and ensuring the safety of riders, staff, and spectators. With national security taking precedence, local authorities made it clear that they could not guarantee the availability of enough officers to safely stage the championships. Despite efforts to find a workaround, including possibly rescheduling or relocating the event, the municipality of Lochem confirmed that it would not be feasible to hold the race at a later date this year.

The news is a particular disappointment for fans of Mathieu van der Poel, who was widely expected to be a major contender for the national title. The reigning world road race champion is currently focusing on his preparation for the Tour de France and the Olympic Games, but the Dutch championships have always held symbolic importance. Van der Poel, who has previously worn the red, white, and blue jersey of national champion, will now miss out on the opportunity to reclaim the title this season.

The KNWU has announced that it is exploring alternative options, including the unprecedented possibility of holding the Dutch National Championships outside the Netherlands. While this would break from tradition, it may be the only viable way to ensure that the event goes ahead in some form. No final decision has yet been made, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks.

This unusual cancellation highlights the broader challenges facing event organizers in a year packed with global political and sporting events. For now, Mathieu van der Poel and other Dutch riders will turn their focus to international competitions, while the national cycling community waits to see if a solution can be found to save the championships in some form.