Mathieu van der Poel abandons Tour de France after Stage 11 breakaway effort backfires for Alpecin-Deceuninck rider

Updated 13/07/2022 at 12:55 GMT

Mathieu van der Poel was tipped to be a “frightening prospect” by Robbie McEwen after finishing his first Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia earlier in 2022, but his return to the Tour de France has not gone to plan. Van der Poel has been outshone by fellow multi-discipline star Wout van Aert and has now decided to call it a day, with the Dutchman appearing to be paying for his Giro d'Italia efforts.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (L)

Image credit: Getty Images

Mathieu van der Poel’s dismal Tour de France is over after the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider withdrew.

Van der Poel made an appearance in the breakaway on Stage 11 but was dropped on the Lacets de Montvernier climb with 100km remaining.

The Dutchman has hardly been spotted since briefly topping the timesheets on the Stage 1 time trial in Copenhagen.

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In truth, his departure is not surprising given his recent exploits at the Giro d’Italia.

The Dutch star dropped a series of madcap solo bids for glory but despite winning plaudits for his aggressive riding, only left the race with a solitary stage win.

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