DEAL ACCEPTED: Mathieu van der Poel Signs $109 Million Deal with Jumbo-Visma, Becomes New Team Captain in Landmark Cycling Move
In what is being described as the most seismic shift in modern professional cycling history, Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel has officially signed a four-year contract with Jumbo-Visma worth a staggering $109 million, sources close to the negotiation confirmed Tuesday. The deal not only makes van der Poel the highest-paid cyclist in the world but also names him the new team captain and strategic face of Jumbo-Visma, effective starting the 2026 season.
The move marks the end of an iconic chapter for Alpecin-Deceuninck, the team where van der Poel rose to international prominence across multiple disciplines. Now, as he makes the leap to the Dutch powerhouse Jumbo-Visma, van der Poel’s new role is set to reshape the landscape of the WorldTour — and intensify rivalries across the peloton.
🌟 A Deal for the Ages
The four-year, $109 million contract includes salary, endorsements, performance incentives, and image rights — far exceeding any known cycling contract to date. For context, previous earnings of marquee cyclists such as Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, and Primož Roglič hovered between $6 million and $8 million annually. Van der Poel’s deal nearly doubles those figures, signaling Jumbo-Visma’s aggressive intent to dominate the sport both on the road and commercially.
Sources indicate that Jumbo-Visma had been working behind the scenes for months to land van der Poel, viewing him as the “missing piece” to transition the team from an era of tactical depth to one defined by superstar leadership and brand elevation.
“This is not just a signing; this is a generational statement,” said Jumbo-Visma general manager Richard Plugge. “Mathieu is not only one of the most talented riders we’ve ever seen, but he also has the charisma, vision, and leadership to guide our next evolution.”
🟡 New Captain, New Vision
While Jumbo-Visma has boasted some of the deepest rosters in cycling over the last five years — claiming Grand Tour titles with Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič — this marks the first time the team will fully build around a singular, multi-dimensional star. Van der Poel will not only take on leadership duties for one-day Classics but is expected to race select Grand Tours as the central GC threat, particularly at the Tour de France, where he has long sought overall success.
Insiders suggest that Jumbo-Visma’s future roster will pivot toward complementing van der Poel’s versatility, particularly focusing on stage-hunting strategies, time-trial reinforcements, and punchy climbers — all designed to maximize his explosive power and tactical genius.
🚴 From Alpecin Hero to Jumbo General
Mathieu van der Poel’s tenure at Alpecin-Deceuninck was nothing short of legendary. He claimed Monument wins at Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix, and the Tour of Flanders, alongside a World Championship title and multiple Grand Tour stage victories. His ability to dominate across cyclocross, mountain bike, and road cycling has made him arguably the most complete rider of his generation.
Yet, for all of his accolades, the Grand Tour crown has eluded him — and sources close to the rider say that’s exactly why he’s making the move.
“Mathieu wants to go all-in on the Tour de France over the next few years,” said his personal coach Jan Wuyts. “At Jumbo-Visma, he’ll have the infrastructure, data science, altitude training systems, and experienced GC crew that could take him from legend to immortal.”
🇳🇱 A Dutch Dream for Dutch Fans
The move has sent shockwaves through the Dutch cycling community. Jumbo-Visma, headquartered in the Netherlands, has long been a symbol of Dutch pride — but lacked a homegrown superstar to match the brand’s international reach. Van der Poel, born and raised in Kapellen with deep Dutch cycling roots (his grandfather was the legendary Raymond Poulidor), now returns to a Dutch team with ambitions as grand as his talent.
“The Netherlands hasn’t had this kind of home-team fairytale in decades,” said cycling analyst José Been. “This is like if Johan Cruyff had signed with Ajax in his prime again. It’s emotional.”
🔮 What Lies Ahead
Van der Poel will fulfill his current contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck through the end of the 2025 season. He is expected to race a full spring calendar in 2026 with Jumbo-Visma, beginning with Strade Bianche, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix, followed by a full GC effort at the Tour de France.
Behind the scenes, Jumbo-Visma is also expected to secure additional sponsors and co-title partners to help finance the historic deal, with rumors suggesting that energy drink giant Red Bull and cycling wear brand Rapha may soon be added to the team’s sponsorship portfolio.
📝 Final Word
Mathieu van der Poel’s move to Jumbo-Visma is more than a transfer — it’s a power shift in professional cycling. With a record-setting contract, a clear leadership mandate, and the full force of Dutch cycling infrastructure behind him, van der Poel is poised to begin the most ambitious chapter of his already storied career.
Jumbo-Visma didn’t just sign a rider — they signed an identity, a national hero, and potentially the future Tour de France champion. The race, as they say, has just begun.