Van der Poel riding on tires from well-known Formula 1 brand until end of 2029: "I’m very happy with them"

Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck will ride on Pirelli tires in 2025, according to a press release from the tire manufacturer. The company—likely best known to the wider public for its Formula 1 tires—has been supplying Lidl-Trek since the summer of 2024. Alpecin-Deceuninck now becomes the third cycling team to partner with them.

Besides Lidl-Trek—home to classics rival Mads Pedersen—the Spanish Pro Continental outfit Burgos-BH was already using Pirelli tires. Now the Italians say they’ve landed a big deal with Van der Poel and his squad, extending through the end of 2029. “The partnership strengthens Pirelli’s presence in the WorldTour and the Cyclo-cross World Cup, while also paving the way for further development of the Italian brand’s bicycle tire range,” reads the press statement.

Read more below the photo.

Van der Poel in cyclo-cross, racing as the world champion

Pirelli pleased with Alpecin-Deceuninck’s multi-discipline approach

Alpecin-Deceuninck will already be using Pirelli tires at the Tour Down Under, which starts on January 21 in Australia. It’s not clear whether Van der Poel will also be using them in cyclo-cross. “The Pirelli products will also be installed on the bikes of the Alpecin-Deceuninck Development team,” referring to the so-called P ZERO RACE TLR RS, a tubeless tire the Italians are particularly proud of.

On off-road surfaces like those in Strade Bianche, the P ZERO RACE TLR will be in use. In cyclo-cross, Van der Poel could use the MTB SCORPION XC on his now-familiar Canyon bike. “the Alpecin-Deceuninck is a high-level, ambitious team that has revolutionised the approach to multidisciplinarity, as it was the first to turn it into a team philosophy,” says Pirelli manager Samuele Bressan.

The versatility of the team led by Van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, and the Roodhooft brothers was the deciding factor. “This to us is as important as sports results, because it enables us to develop the product in all the disciplines and with highly technical, experienced athletes.”b

Read more below the photo.

Van der Poel also became gravel world champion this Summer

Van der Poel praises new tire sponsor

In the press photo, Van der Poel proudly shows off the new tires and is clearly pleased with them. As a versatile rider, he’ll be able to rely on Pirelli’s products as the cyclo-cross world champion, gravel world champion, and on the road. “I’m very happy with these tires; I tested them a bit here in Spain, and they offer excellent grip, especially on these roads, which—particularly in the morning—can be quite slippery. I always feel fully in control of the bike, which is great.”

Finally, team boss Philip Roodhooft shares his thoughts: “We’re very proud to be working with Pirelli. After our initial tests of the tires, our technical team was very enthusiastic, and this enthusiasm was later shared by the riders. The quality of the product was decisive, but clearly, Pirelli’s global influence and strong reputation as a brand also played an important role in our choice.”

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