La Rioja Bike Race, Mathieu Van der Poel's first "Monument"

In 2018, the Dutch prodigy, then 23 years old, gave no respite to his rivals and took victory in all the Rioja stages.

Van der Poel is on everyone's lips. His recent victories at Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders have raised his profile even higher, defying the so-called rainbow curse that often afflicts world champions. The Dutch phenom has proven to be king in every two-wheel discipline: cyclo-cross, XCO and road.

In 2018, Van der Poel already had an impressive track record in mountain biking and after the cyclocross season, he took to the start line of La Rioja Bike Race. He did not fare badly in the three XCM stages, facing top-level rivals such as Carlos Coloma, Enrique Morcillo, Vlad Dascalu or Ever Alejandro Gómez. The Dutchman showed his natural talent in mountain biking.

Van der Poel was very satisfied at the end of the 5th edition of La Rioja Bike Race in 2018: "It has been an intense three days in La Rioja Bike Race, and I am very surprised by the routes, the stunning landscapes of La Rioja and the work of the organisation. I hope to come back".

Dear Mathieu, come back whenever you want, La Rioja Bike Race is your home!

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)