HISTORICAL RETURN: cycling to Elect Mathieu von der poel Statue to Be Unveiled at Hanging Rock legendary figure in the cycling word history will be forever immortalized, as a statue honoring the iconic cyclist is set to be unveiled at Hanging Rock Recreational and Sports Complex……
**HISTORICAL RETURN: Cycling to Elect Mathieu van der Poel Statue to Be Unveiled at Hanging Rock**
In an emotional and unforgettable moment for the cycling world, the international community will come together at Hanging Rock Recreational and Sports Complex this fall to witness the historic unveiling of a statue honoring one of the sport’s most electrifying talents—Mathieu van der Poel.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Victoria’s famed Hanging Rock, the bronze statue will forever immortalize the Dutch cycling legend who not only redefined versatility across multiple cycling disciplines but captured the hearts of fans with his relentless grit and artistry on two wheels.
Organized by the Global Cycling Federation in collaboration with Australian Cycling Heritage Trust, the ceremony is scheduled for September 22, a symbolic date marking van der Poel’s jaw-dropping 2023 World Championship victory in Glasgow—an unforgettable moment when he conquered brutal weather, a crash, and 270 kilometers of unforgiving terrain.
Van der Poel’s statue, designed by renowned sculptor Helen Masters, captures him in full flight: standing on his pedals, eyes fierce with determination, the front wheel slightly lifted as though launching off the gravel. The base of the statue is etched with key victories spanning his cyclo-cross dominance, his Tour de France stage wins, and of course, that iconic victory at Milan–San Remo.
“It’s not just a tribute to a cyclist—it’s a tribute to a warrior who has raced on every surface, in every weather, and still managed to inspire a generation,” said David Lanning, head of the Australian Cycling Heritage Trust. “There is no better place than Hanging Rock—a terrain filled with mystery, history, and challenge—to honor the man who turned cycling into poetry in motion.”
The statue will stand in the newly renovated “Legends Plaza” of the complex, joining past inductees such as Australian greats Cadel Evans and Anna Meares. Van der Poel becomes the first European cyclist to be honored in the Southern Hemisphere with a permanent monument, highlighting the global nature of his appeal.
Expected to draw thousands of cycling enthusiasts, the unveiling weekend will include a Gran Fondo ride inspired by van der Poel’s career, featuring mixed surfaces and punchy climbs. Several former rivals and teammates—including Wout van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, and Peter Sagan—have confirmed attendance, adding emotional gravity to an already historic occasion.
While van der Poel himself has remained characteristically humble about the honor, a brief statement from his camp read: “Mathieu is deeply touched by this gesture. To be remembered in a place so rich in natural beauty and cycling passion is beyond what he ever dreamed. He hopes this statue inspires future riders to embrace the adventure of the sport.”
As the sun sets behind the iconic Hanging Rock on the day of the ceremony, one of the sport’s greatest will take his place—not just in history books—but in stone, forever frozen in the very motion that defined him. Cycling, like Hanging Rock itself, now has a permanent monument to its mystique—and its modern-day conqueror, Mathieu van der Poel.
