My heart goes out’ – Roxanne Bertel sympathises and encourage Mathieu van der poel amid struggle after withdrawing from tour de France and.…. Details Below 👇🏾👇🏾

“My Heart Goes Out” – Roxanne Bertel Expresses Support for Mathieu van der Poel Amid Struggles After Tour de France Withdrawal

In a heartfelt public statement, Roxanne Bertel, the longtime partner of Dutch cycling icon Mathieu van der Poel, has spoken out for the first time since the world champion’s emotional withdrawal from the 2025 Tour de France. In her message, Bertel offered not only sympathy and encouragement, but also a rare glimpse into the mental and emotional toll the ongoing health crisis has taken on one of the sport’s most decorated riders.

Van der Poel, who pulled out of the Tour prior to Stage 16 due to a worsening back injury, has been the subject of concern and speculation in recent weeks. While fans and media continue to analyze the implications for his career, Bertel’s words served as a powerful reminder that behind the athlete is a human being facing physical pain, mental strain, and the weight of public expectation.

“My heart goes out to you,” Bertel wrote in an emotional Instagram story on Sunday. “Not just because of the injury, but because I see every day how hard you fight — how much you want to give, and how it hurts when your body won’t let you. You’re still my champion.”

A Difficult Season Reaches a Boiling Point

The 2025 cycling season had already posed serious challenges for van der Poel, who began the year in top form, securing a commanding win at Paris–Roubaix and finishing on the podium in the Tour of Flanders. But as the calendar turned to June, signs of physical strain began to emerge. Van der Poel withdrew from scheduled training camps and skipped warm-up races ahead of the Tour, citing recurring lower back pain.

Initially believed to be manageable, the injury flared up dramatically during the grueling mountain stages of the Tour de France. After pushing through pain and finishing several stages visibly distressed, van der Poel made the difficult decision — in consultation with Alpecin–Deceuninck team doctors — to withdraw ahead of Stage 16.

In his own statement at the time, van der Poel said:

“This is not how I wanted my Tour to end, but my body is telling me something I can’t ignore. I need to rest, recover, and look ahead to what’s next.”

Bertel’s Unwavering Support

While van der Poel’s competitive future remains uncertain for the remainder of the 2025 season, Bertel’s message offered clarity on one front: he is not alone. Her words struck a chord with fans and athletes alike, reminding the public that mental resilience is just as crucial as physical strength in elite sport.

“There’s pressure, there are expectations, and sometimes there’s silence when all you want is understanding,” Bertel continued. “But I know the work you’ve done, the nights you couldn’t sleep, and the times you got back on the bike when it hurt too much. That courage — that’s what makes you special.”

The post was widely shared across social media, with fans thanking Bertel for “humanizing” the pressures elite cyclists face. Several professional riders, including Wout van Aert and Julian Alaphilippe, responded with messages of solidarity, applauding both van der Poel’s decision to prioritize his health and Bertel’s visible support.

What Comes Next?

While the cycling world waits to see whether van der Poel will return to competition this year — possibly in the UCI World Championships or late-season Classics like Il Lombardia — sources close to the team indicate that the focus now is on long-term recovery. Alpecin–Deceuninck has not confirmed a revised race calendar, but a late-season appearance remains a possibility if his rehabilitation progresses positively.

Team staff have stated that their primary concern is preventing any chronic long-term damage, with one insider saying, “He’s still got many years left if he takes care of this now.”

More Than Just Results

Bertel’s message underscores a growing movement in elite sports to prioritize athlete well-being over immediate performance. In an era where fans often view riders through the lens of statistics, race wins, and podiums, her heartfelt tribute served as a reminder of the emotional and mental battles athletes endure behind the scenes.

As the public sends their support to van der Poel, many are also thanking Bertel for her voice — one of compassion, strength, and perspective. In a sport defined by grit and suffering, her message might be the most meaningful win of all.

“Whether you’re wearing yellow, rainbow, or nothing at all — you’re always riding with my love and admiration,” she wrote in closing.

In times of adversity, the strength behind a champion often lies beyond the bike. For Mathieu van der Poel, that strength clearly includes Roxanne Bertel.