Mathieu van der Poel is ready to return to cycling and he will do so next Sunday at the Profronde van Etten-Leur. The Dutch champion was one of the protagonists of the Tour de France, where he won a stage on the second day of the race, wore the yellow jersey and signed numerous breakaway attempts. Unfortunately, however, the former world champion fell ill and did not restart after the second rest day due to pneumonia.

Now, after a period of rest and the necessary therapies, Mathieu has managed to return to cycling early and in Spain he has resumed training, especially in preparation for the mountain bike world championships in mid-September. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider does not want to miss those special commitments, like the races in the Netherlands, where for fans he is the local hero.

"He belongs to this land and next Sunday he will race the Las Montage Holland Profronde van Etten-Leur - said the organizers of the Dutch race - A prominent figure from the Tour absolutely cannot miss our race."

There will be a large crowd for this race and the presence of Mathieu van der Poel will bring even more passionate fans: the riders will compete in three laps on the roads around Moeierboom.

Among the most famous riders on Sunday will also be Tim Wellens, Oscar Onley and Thymen Arensman. For the women's race, the winner of the Tour des Femmes Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will be present, along with Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes.

For the Netherlands, it will be a Sunday of sport and fun, and Mathieu van der Poel will try to win to make all his fans happy, who will come from every corner of the Netherlands to applaud him.