Alpecin-Deceuninck have confirmed that Mathieu van der Poel will take part in the Critérium du Dauphiné (8-15 June), after his recovery from a wrist injury sustained while mountain biking went more quickly than expected.

The Dutch star's participation had been put in doubt after his double fall in the mountain bike race in Nové Mesto last month, which resulted in a broken wrist. Fortunately, the injury turned out to be less serious than initially feared.

Despite missing the first part of the team’s altitude training camp in the Alps in preparation for the Tour de France, Van der Poel was soon spotted in Spain completing six hours of training. His rapid recovery convinced the team to confirm, via Instagram, his presence at the Dauphiné rather than opting for an alternative program to the Tour de Suisse.

For Van der Poel, as well as Pogačar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel, the Dauphiné represents a crucial test towards the Tour de France. It will be his first road race after a brilliant classics campaign, which saw him triumph at Milan-San Remo, E3 Saxo Classic and Paris-Roubaix.

The Dutch champion’s chances of seeking success will come from the first undulating stage with the finish in Montluçon. Stages 2, 3 and 5 also seem perfectly suited to his characteristics as an explosive finisher on undulating courses.

He will be joined in the French race by his teammates Tobias Bayer, Lars Boven, Michael Gogl, Xandro Meurisse, Johan Price-Pejtersen and Gianni Vermeersch.