Mathieu Van der Pol (Alpecin Phoenix) has been planning this season's Tokyo Olympics for years. Prior to the last Olympics in 2016, Van der Pol was not yet the road sensation he is today, nor did he have the mountain bike track record he currently enjoys. He was a cyclo-cross specialist and a world champion in non-Olympic disciplines.

The postponement of the Games due to the coronavirus pandemic was a blow to him, as he had won three consecutive World Cup cross country titles in the past three years and had risen to the level of European cross country champion.

"I am very disappointed that the competition was postponed. But I understand this decision," says van der Pol, according to Sporza.be (opens in new tab).

"The health of the world comes first. On the other hand, I have a bad feeling about it: four years ago we made plans for the Tokyo Games. And that plan has basically been ruined

"It's not easy mentally if you've been working on it for four years, but that's true of everyone who has worked toward a long-term goal during these difficult times.

"For the time being, it is hardly clear when I will be able to race again. For the time being I intend to stay busy, but of course no real plans can be made. There are a few races that I would like to go ahead with as planned, for example the World Cup in Albstadt (June 26-28)"

. [Regarding the 2021 Olympics, "it is difficult to look ahead, we have to see when they will continue the Olympics first."

Van der Pol mixed road, cyclocross, and mountain biking for his Olympic dream.

Poel, winner of last year's Amstel Gold Race, would normally have entered the Classics season had the pandemic not interrupted all racing. He hopes that next season's calendar will be back to normal.

"For myself, I want the same season so that we can finish the Classic campaign first as planned. The only downside is that I have to choose between the Olympics and the Grand Tours. But for the time being I will continue with mountain biking. I'll figure out the rest later."