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Mathieu van der Poel’s new rainbow kit is absolutely spectacular

Both the Dutchman and Lotte Kopecky showed off their new threads

Mathieu van der Poel's 2023 world championship kit Photo by: Gemeente Etten-Leur @gem_ettenleur
August 21, 2023
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Sunday was new kit day for Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky. Of course, MvDP most likely already had some Alpecin Deceuninck rainbow duds from his 2023 world CX championship win. But now he has is going to get some more to add to his closet. Both of the newly crowned champs were racing at the Etten-Leur criterium in the Netherlands, showing off their very special jerseys.

A photo of Mathieu van der Poel’s broken shoe makes his victory even more spectacular

Mathieu van der Poel won the 15th edition of the race, beating Jasper Philipsen and Fabio Jakobsen.

Kopecky was also at the well-known crit, after taking a break following her three rainbow jersey in Scotland.

“I tried to relax a bit and to do other things like a barbecue and surfing. A good friend had already invited me a few times,” the Belgian told Sporza. “I had asked my team to leave me alone a little bit this week. I’m glad they respected that. But I still want to show my jersey anyway, although I want to be relaxed. I don’t know exactly which races are on my program yet.”

In the women’s race, Demi Vollering beat Lorena Wiebes while Fem van Empel claimed the third spot.

As many on Twitter suspected, MvdP was going to go all-in with his maillot arc-en-ciel. White shorts, white bike, white helmet, remiscienct of Mario Cipollini or Philippe Gilbert. The previous champ, Remco Evenepoel, sometimes rocked the all-white kit, even after Tadej Pogačar chirped him at the start of Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

But of course Tadej Pogačar sassed Remco Evenepoel for his white shorts

Kopecky has gone with a slightly more subdued approach, keeping the team issue, dark blue bibs.

The Belgian took three rainbow jerseys in Scotland. She won on the road, as well as on the track, taking both the elimination and points race.

Lotte Kopecky is the first Belgian elite women’s world road race champion in 50 years