Matthieu van der Poel Stuns Cycling World by Joining University of Florida’s Club, Turns Down \$9.5M U.S. National Team Offer
Gainesville, FL – May 23, 2025
In a move that has left the global cycling community reeling, reigning world champion and current world No. 1 cyclist Matthieu van der Poel has announced that he will join the University of Florida’s cycling club, turning down a staggering \$9.5 million offer from the U.S. men’s national cycling team.
Van der Poel, 30, revealed his decision Thursday afternoon during a press conference held on the University of Florida campus. Flanked by university officials and student athletes, the Dutch superstar called his choice “a step toward something deeper than money or medals.”
“This isn’t about the money,” van der Poel said. “It’s about connecting with the grassroots of the sport I love and helping to grow it from the ground up. I’ve raced the biggest stages, worn the rainbow jersey, and stood on countless podiums. But now, I want to be part of something different—something meaningful.”
The U.S. men’s national cycling team had reportedly offered van der Poel a multi-year deal worth \$9.5 million, making it one of the most lucrative contracts ever proposed to a cyclist outside of the Tour de France elite. The offer included leadership at the upcoming 2025 World Championships and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Instead, van der Poel will compete as an amateur with the University of Florida Cycling Club, a collegiate team that races under USA Cycling’s Collegiate Division I banner. Although the club is well-respected in collegiate cycling circles, it pales in comparison to the grandeur of global competition and lacks the resources of professional teams.
University of Florida President Ben Sasse praised van der Poel’s decision as a “transformative moment” for both the university and collegiate cycling nationwide.
“This is more than just an athlete joining a team,” Sasse said. “Matthieu’s commitment brings world-class talent into the heart of college athletics and sends a powerful message that elite sports and education can go hand in hand.”
According to sources close to the cyclist, van der Poel was drawn to Gainesville not only by the cycling culture, but by a desire to pursue environmental science studies, with an emphasis on sustainable mobility and infrastructure—a field he believes cycling can help lead.
“There’s a growing intersection between cycling and sustainability,” van der Poel said. “I want to be part of that conversation, and being at a major research university like Florida gives me that chance.”
The decision has sent shockwaves through the professional cycling world. Former teammate Wout van Aert tweeted, “Wait… what?? Respect to MVDP, but this is wild.” Meanwhile, U.S. Cycling Federation President Martha Whitman released a statement expressing both disappointment and admiration.
“We are, of course, disappointed not to welcome Matthieu to Team USA, but we deeply respect his personal vision and commitment to growing the sport in new ways,” Whitman wrote.
For the University of Florida cycling team, the implications are immediate and enormous. Already, the club’s social media pages have seen a massive spike in followers, and applications to the cycling program have surged overnight. Sponsorship inquiries are flooding in, and the team is rumored to be considering a push for elite development team status with USA Cycling.
Yet, van der Poel insists he is not there to win every race or dominate the collegiate circuit.
“I’m here to learn, teach, and share. If I can help elevate the athletes around me and bring more attention to this level of the sport, then I’ve already won,” he said.
With his decision, van der Poel may have just redefined what it means to be a world-class athlete—and what it means to give back to the sport that gave him everything.
