David van der Poel is a Belgian-born Dutch former road and cyclo-cross cyclist. He represented his nation in the men’s elite event at the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder. Van der Poel competed professionally between 2010 and 2023, retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
You can follow David van der Poel’s biography, personal details, career, net worth, career stats, achievements, and more here.
David van der Poel’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | David van der Poel |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1992 |
| Age | 32 |
| Place of Birth | Wilrijk, Belgium |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Height | 1.79 m (179 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg |
| Discipline | Road cycling and Cyclo-cross |
| Professional Career | 2010 – 2023 |
| Last Team | Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team (2023) |
| Father | Adri van der Poel (former world champion cyclist) |
| Brother | Mathieu van der Poel (professional cyclist) |
| Grandfather | Raymond Poulidor (French cyclist) |
| Notable Achievement | Represented Netherlands in 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships |
| Retirement | End of 2023 season |
David van der Poel was born on June 15, 1992, in Wilrijk, Belgium. He comes from a family with a rich cycling heritage.
His father is the Dutch cyclist Adri van der Poel, and his brother is the renowned cyclist Mathieu van der Poel. David’s grandfather was the French cyclist Raymond Poulidor.
Career
David van der Poel, born on June 15, 1992, in Belgium, had a professional cycling career that spanned over a decade, from 2010 to 2023. He competed in both road cycling and cyclo-cross disciplines, following in the footsteps of his renowned cycling family.
In cyclo-cross, van der Poel established himself as a formidable competitor. He achieved significant success in the 2014-2015 season, winning races in Pétange and Bussnang, and securing a second-place finish in the National Championships.
The following seasons saw van der Poel continue to excel, with victories in prestigious events such as the EKZ CrossTour and Toi Toi Cup. He consistently placed well in national championships.
Van der Poel’s road cycling career, while less prominent than his cyclo-cross achievements, also saw notable successes. His most significant road victory came in 2018 when he won Stage 1 of the Tour Alsace.
Van der Poel’s career reached its pinnacle when he represented his nation in the men’s elite event at the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder.
His final professional seasons saw him competing in events like the Copa de España and Exact Cross. After a career filled with numerous achievements and consistent performances, David van der Poel decided to retire at the end of the 2023 season.
David van der Poel’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, David van der Poel’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million.
Career Stats
| Year | Team | UCI Points |
| 2023 | Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team | 10 |
| 2022 | Alpecin-Fenix | 8 |
| 2021 | Alpecin-Fenix | 3 |
| 2020 | Alpecin-Fenix | 28 |
| 2019 | Corendon-Circus | 7 |
Achievements
- Won Stage 1 of Tour Alsace in 2018
- 3rd place in a stage of Okolo Slovenska / Tour de Slovaquie in 2020
- 3rd place in a stage of Tour de Hongrie in 2020
- 6th place in Schaal Sels in 2018
- 2nd place in National Cyclo-cross Championships in 2014-2015
- Multiple wins in EKZ CrossTour and Toi Toi Cup events
FAQs
1. Who is David van der Poel?
David van der Poel is a Belgian-born Dutch former road and cyclo-cross cyclist, born on June 15, 1992, in Wilrijk, Belgium. He is the son of former world cyclo-cross champion Adrie van der Poel and the grandson of French cyclist Raymond Poulidor. David is also the older brother of Mathieu van der Poel, a highly successful cyclist.
2. What are some of David van der Poel’s notable achievements in cycling?
David van der Poel has had a successful career with several notable achievements:
- He won the Dutch National Cyclo-cross Championships in the junior and under-23 categories.
- He secured victories in various cyclo-cross races, including the Zilvermeercross in Mol and stages in the Tour de Alsace.
- He finished second at the Dutch National Cyclo-cross Championships in 2015 and achieved a sixth place at the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.
3. How does David van der Poel’s career compare to his brother Mathieu’s?
While Mathieu van der Poel has achieved widespread fame with numerous victories in major road races and cyclo-cross events, David’s career has been less in the spotlight but still notable. David has been a consistent performer, often finishing on the podium in cyclo-cross races and securing stage wins in road races, but he has not reached the same level of international success as Mathieu.
4. What led to David van der Poel’s retirement from professional cycling?
David van der Poel announced his retirement at the end of the 2023 season. His decision was influenced by a meeting with his team where they concluded it was time to end his racing career. He had been dealing with a persistent back injury which affected his performance, particularly in cyclo-cross.
5. What teams did David van der Poel ride for during his professional career?
David van der Poel spent his entire professional career with the same team, which evolved over time:
- BKCP-Powerplus (2011-2015)
- Beobank-Corendon (2015-2016)
- Corendon-Circus (2018-2019)
- Alpecin-Fenix (2020-2023)
6. What was David van der Poel’s approach to racing alongside his brother Mathieu?
David and Mathieu van der Poel maintained a professional relationship on the bike, with David often acting as a loyal lieutenant to Mathieu. However, off the bike, they kept their relationship casual, focusing on non-cycling topics to maintain a healthy mental balance.
7. How did David van der Poel’s family influence his cycling career?
David comes from a family deeply rooted in cycling. His father, Adrie van der Poel, was a world champion in cyclo-cross, and his grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, was a famous French cyclist. This family background provided David with both inspiration and practical support in his cycling career.
8. What kind of races did David van der Poel specialize in?
David van der Poel was known for his prowess in cyclo-cross, where he achieved most of his notable results. However, he also competed in road races, securing stage wins and podium finishes in various events.
9. What was David van der Poel’s last race before retirement?
His last race was the Sluitingsprijs Putte-Kapellen, where he finished an impressive second place. This race was in his home region, and he announced his retirement shortly after.
10. How did David van der Poel handle the pressure of being compared to his brother Mathieu?
David van der Poel has expressed that he did not feel pressured by comparisons to Mathieu. He viewed Mathieu as his brother first and foremost, and they maintained a relationship where cycling was not the central focus when they were together. David focused on enjoying his races and performing to the best of his ability without the burden of constant comparison.
