Mathieu Van der Poel abandons Tour de France with pneumonia - 'Health is the top priority'
By Lewis Mason
Updated 22/07/2025 at 08:22 GMT+1
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Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Mathieu van der Poel has abandoned the 2025 Tour de France. The veteran Dutch star was diagnosed with pneumonia after suffering the effects of a cold and fever. He was third in the points classification for the green jersey at the time of his withdrawal, behind Jonathan Milan and Tadej Pogacar. Van der Poel will require "at least" one week of full rest, his team said.
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Mathieu van der Poel has abandoned the 2025 Tour de France after being diagnosed with pneumonia, according to his team Alpecin-Deceuninck.
"Mathieu had been experiencing symptoms of a common cold over the past few days," the team revealed in a statement.
"Yesterday afternoon [Monday], his condition began to worsen significantly. The team doctor monitored him closely throughout the day. By the evening, Mathieu developed a fever and was taken to the ‘Centre Hospitalier de Narbonne’ for further examinations.
"Medical tests revealed that Mathieu is suffering from pneumonia. In consultation with the medical staff, it was decided that he can no longer continue the race. His health is the top priority, and rest and recovery are now essential.
"Mathieu will be required to rest for at least one full week. After this period, he will undergo further medical examinations to assess his recovery and determine the next steps in his rehabilitation."
Van der Poel - who took victory on Stage 2 - had been third in the battle of the sprinters for the green jersey, which means there will now be an intriguing contest between overall leader Tadej Pogacar and Jonathan Milan.
However, it had become clear in recent days that the Dutchman was struggling to keep pace.
Speaking ahead of Stage 15 - which proved to be his last of the race - Van der Poel revealed he was not feeling well and struggling to shake off a cold.
"I’m not recovering well. So today’s really a question mark.
"I’ll give it a go, but if I’m not feeling right, I’ll hold back. With the rest day and Ventoux coming up, I’ll have two more days to recover. Hopefully I’ll feel better after that," he said.
Van der Poel, who wore the yellow jersey after Stage 2, was 62nd in the tour standings after Stage 15.
It has been a torrid time for the Alpecin rider, who also suffered an insect sting earlier in the Tour.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"I got stung near my eye on Hautacam. It swelled shut. I could feel my body working to fight off the venom.
"It’ll be fine eventually, but it takes energy, and that’s something you need every single day here," he said.
Abandoning the Tour will be tough to take for Van der Poel, who has become the latest big name unable to complete the race.
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Remco Evenepoel also withdrew and speaking after that news broke, Van der Poel said: "Abandoning the Tour is one of the hardest things you can do.
"But if you decide it’s no longer possible, then that’s just how it is.
"I sent him [Evenepoel] a message on Friday encouraging him to keep pushing, but once it’s no longer doable, there’s no point in continuing."
Watch the Tour de France via TNT Sports and discovery+.
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