Van Der Poel forced to withdraw from World Championships

Mathieu van der Poel's reoccurring lower back pain will keep him sidelined from this week's UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, which take place in Italy's Val di Sole from August 27-29.

Van der Poel gives up after falling in Olympic mountain bike race Source: Getty Images

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The Dutchman's team Alpecin-Fenix released a statement explaining "Mathieu van der Poel's back problem is improving but Val di Sole comes too soon".

Van der Poel has reportedly been suffering from the lower back issue since the Mountain Bike World Cup in Albstadt back in May.

The lingering back issues were then reignited when he took a rough spill in the cross-country MTB race at the Tokyo Olympics.

"Mathieu van der Poel has been dealing with back pain in the past weeks," a statement issued by Alpecin-Fenix read.

Instead of continuing on the mountain bike circuit this season and chasing ranking points, he will be putting all his attention into road racing and attempting to defend his 2020 title at what was then the BinckBank Tour.

The cyclocross world champion will now have his sights set on the UCI Road World Championships in Flanders on September 26 and Pairs-Roubaix on October 3.

The next time we see the Dutchman competing will be at the Benelux Tour, which starts on August 30. 

"It is now his intention to prepare for the goals in the next part of the season – including Paris-Roubaix – via the upcoming Benelux Tour, where he is the defending champion." Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team.