Mathieu van der Poel and Roxanne Bertels announce engagement ahead of first child's arrival

Mathieu van der Poel has another reason to celebrate. The 31-year-old Dutch cycling champion is engaged to his partner Roxanne Bertels, with the couple announcing the happy news on Instagram on Sunday.

“A million times yes,” Bertels wrote alongside a series of photographs capturing the romantic proposal.

The images show Van der Poel getting down on one knee during a maternity photoshoot in Moraira, Spain, with a visibly surprised Bertels covering her mouth as the cyclist asks for her hand in marriage. The announcement quickly attracted congratulations from across the cycling community.

The engagement comes just months before the couple are due to welcome their first child, a daughter, in January 2027.

Van der Poel and Bertels, 33, have been together since 2018, when they first met during a Porsche driving event on ice in Finland. Bertels, who is Belgian and was working in Porsche's marketing department at the time, crossed paths with the Dutch rider during the event.

Their relationship developed after another meeting at a cyclocross race in Hulst, followed by drinks in Antwerp and several dates.

Eight years later, the couple are preparing for two major life events: becoming parents and getting married.

They first announced the pregnancy in June, while Van der Poel later revealed that they were expecting a daughter following the ninth stage of the Tour de France.

"It's always special to win a stage in the Tour, especially with my two girls at the finish line," Van der Poel said at the time, sharing his excitement about becoming a father.

The arrival of his first child could also have implications for Van der Poel's racing calendar. The eight-time cyclocross world champion has yet to confirm whether he will compete this winter, raising the possibility of a season away from the discipline in which he has enjoyed so much success.

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster Sporza following the World Championships in Montréal, Van der Poel cast doubt on a winter return. "I don't know if there will be a return to cyclocross. We'll see," he said.

He also acknowledged the significance of his impending fatherhood when speaking to Dutch broadcaster NOS. "Becoming a father for the first time is, of course, very special for me too. So we'll see."