The Dutch national team will have to do without its star athlete at the 2025 Road World Championships in Rwanda.

Mathieu van der Poel will not be at the start of the men's elite road race, as confirmed by the national federation on Monday.

For the very demanding and climb-filled route planned in Rwanda, the Netherlands will be banking on Thymen Arensman, a key figure in the 2025 Tour de France with two stage victories in the Pyrenees and the Alps. Alongside him will be the experienced Bauke Mollema, already winner of the Giro di Lombardia.

"This year we don't have a clear favorite like Van der Poel was," said coach Koos Moerenhout, "but this gives us more tactical flexibility. Arensman has shown excellent form and will certainly be one of our key players, but other riders will also have freedom of action in the finale."

The Orange team will also include Sam Oomen, Wout Poels, Frank van den Broek, and Koen Bouwman. Arensman will also participate in the time trial on September 21st.

"Our chances will depend primarily on our ability to anticipate, read the race, and get into the right breakaways," Moerenhout added. "It will be a real battle of attrition, where we hope to be a key player and perhaps pull off a surprise."

Van der Poel will instead focus on the Renewi Tour (20-24 August) and the MTB World Cup in Les Gets (31 August), ahead of the Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland on 14 September.

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