Van der Poel, at the center of controversy for his agreement with a private jet company: "It's not about luxury, but about performance"

Mathieu van der Poel has been forced to respond to the wave of criticism he has received after announcing a sponsorship agreement with Flying Group, a company specializing in private flights.

Van der Poel partners with a private aircraft company and receives hundreds of criticisms

Van der Poel announced this partnership on his Instagram profile, just a few hours before the start of the 2025 Tour de France, and unlike the rest of the comments he usually receives, this time he received a wave of negative reactions, mainly focused on the environmental impact of this type of transportation.

“I am delighted to announce that I am an ambassador for Flying Group, proud to represent a company that is elevating the world of private aviation”, wrote the Dutchman in his initial post.

The response was immediate. More than 1,300 comments, mostly negative, flooded the post pointing out the contradiction between the use of private jets and the growing commitment of the sports world —and cycling in particular— to sustainability. Among the comments were: “Take the train and set an example”, “This is disappointing”, or “Do you think climate change is a joke?”.

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These criticisms are supported by data that states that in 2023, the average private jet flight emitted about 3.6 tons of CO? —almost as much as the annual footprint of an average citizen in many European countries— and up to 4559% more emissions per kilometer than a commercial flight per passenger.

Faced with the avalanche of comments, Van der Poel responded with a more extensive message in the same post, defending his decision and explaining the motivations behind the agreement.

“I have seen some reactions and I want to be transparent about my collaboration with Flying Group as a sustainable partner. I understand environmental concerns and respect all opinions”, he stated.

The cyclist made it clear that, for him, the key is not luxury, but optimizing his performance and well-being as an elite athlete.

“For my sport and my career, the way I travel is important. I work very hard every day to perform at the highest level, and that involves making decisions that protect my time, my health, and my peace of mind. Flying relaxed, with less stress and exposure, helps me stay focused and healthy”, he explained.

He added that he tries to “make responsible decisions whenever he can”, and that this agreement is part of his commitment to his sports goals.