Mathieu van der Poel will not compete in a triathlon anytime soon, but it is something he wants to check off his bucket list in the long run. In a video by the popular YouTuber Average Rob, he already made a promise to take part in a triathlon, and it likely won’t stop there.
"MVDP confirms he will participate in an Ironman triathlon if this reel gets 100,000 likes," writes his regular training partner and friend Freddy Ovett under a reel showing both men during a training ride on Spanish roads. "#SwimMatjeRun," the Brit concludes with a telling hashtag.
Van der Poel’s response isn’t long in coming: "I still have to figure out how to fit in Average Rob’s Ironman." he seems to dodge the commitment. "Okay, then let’s schedule two. I’ll get commission (a percentage of the revenue, ed.) from the Ironman organizers anyway," jokes Ovett.
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Van der Poel had previously toyed with the idea of participating in a half Ironman. Average Rob (Robert van Impe) mentioned this in the LAMBERT & ALBERT podcast by Play Sports. “Mathieu had nearly taken part in a half Ironman (the Ironman 70.3, ed.) in Portugal. He was seriously considering it, but for a professional cyclist, it’s not something that just easily fits into the schedule.”
“That’s impossible. He has promised to do a full Ironman with us someday, but I think that is something for four, five, six, or ten years from now. After his career. Or when he’s in a calmer phase and wants to use it as training. Apparently, he can swim much better than people think. He’s a guy who can do everything well. A phenomenon.”
