Cycling Power Couple Mathieu van der Poel and Roxanne Bertels Set Social Media Ablaze with Stunning Footage from Their Lavish Baecation—A Romantic Escape Filled with Luxury, Love, and Life Beyond the Podium
In the high-octane world of professional cycling, where grit, precision, and relentless dedication define the champions of the sport, moments of tenderness and personal joy can often seem elusive. Yet, when Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel and his girlfriend Roxanne Bertels recently shared glimpses of their luxurious vacation—cheekily dubbed a “baecation” by fans—the cycling world took a pause. Not to analyze watt output or race strategy, but to collectively swoon over the breathtaking visuals and the sheer human warmth radiating from the images.
The couple, known as much for their grounded charisma as their glamour, took to social media to showcase moments of peace, passion, and profound luxury far removed from the chaos of the peloton. From sun-drenched beaches to intimate candlelit dinners, from helicopter tours to private yacht cruises—their holiday was more than just a retreat. It was a statement: that even the most decorated athletes in the world deserve, and need, moments to breathe, to love, and to live.
From Cobblestones to Coastlines
Mathieu van der Poel’s rise to cycling superstardom is already the stuff of modern legend. Born into a lineage of cycling greatness—his father, Adrie van der Poel, was a champion in his own right, and his grandfather Raymond Poulidor was an icon of French cycling—Mathieu has forged a path that not only honors his heritage but also redefines it. His dominance across multiple disciplines—cyclocross, mountain biking, and road racing—has cemented him as a generational talent.
But with fame, grueling schedules, and constant media scrutiny comes a different kind of pressure. And that’s where Roxanne Bertels enters—not as a side note to Van der Poel’s narrative, but as a co-author of a quieter, more human chapter.
Bertels, a Belgian entrepreneur with experience in media and branding, has been a steady and stylish presence beside Van der Poel for several years. Known for her impeccable fashion sense, savvy business acumen, and poised demeanor, Roxanne complements Mathieu’s rugged, focused athleticism with balance, warmth, and grace.
Their recent vacation, documented across both of their Instagram accounts, was not only a celebration of love and luxury—it was a glimpse into how a high-performance couple stays grounded amid the whirlwind.
The World Watches—And Reacts
Fans, fellow cyclists, lifestyle influencers, and media outlets lit up in response to the couple’s visual diary. Drone shots of turquoise waters, barefoot strolls through white-sand beaches, casual selfies with sunset backdrops—each post painted a portrait not just of a dream holiday, but of a genuine connection.
The highlight, arguably, came in the form of a short reel posted by Van der Poel. The video begins with him waking up in a sun-drenched bedroom with Roxanne sleeping peacefully beside him. What follows is a montage of activities that would make any luxury travel blogger envious: cliffside picnics, spa treatments, synchronized paddleboarding, and a moment that sent fans into a frenzy—a romantic dinner on a floating deck under a sky full of stars, with a live string quartet playing in the background.
The caption? “She’s my calm between the climbs.”
The phrase struck a chord. Within hours, the post had over 1.2 million likes and 20,000 comments. Cyclists from across the professional spectrum chimed in with emojis and praise, while fans declared it “relationship goals.” For many, it wasn’t just about envy; it was about seeing a side of athletes that rarely makes the headlines—vulnerability, affection, and balance.
The Luxury Factor: Subtle Yet Striking
Though the couple never explicitly flaunted their wealth, the settings spoke volumes. Van der Poel, who recently signed a groundbreaking multi-year deal rumored to include image rights, performance incentives, and legacy branding, is believed to be among the top earners in global cycling. Roxanne, too, has built a solid professional portfolio outside the shadow of her boyfriend’s career.
The vacation appeared to take place across a few high-profile Mediterranean locations—Capri, Santorini, and the Amalfi Coast, though neither confirmed exact coordinates. They stayed in boutique hotels known for privacy and opulence, enjoyed chartered cruises with full staff, and were spotted dining in Michelin-starred restaurants.
What made their posts resonate, however, was the absence of ostentation. There were no brand tags, no flaunting of designer goods, no promotional language. Everything felt organic, warm, and deeply personal—curated more for memory than marketing.
Love in the Time of Lycra
Romantic relationships in the world of professional sports often face immense challenges. The travel, the pressure, the physical and emotional demands—it’s not a lifestyle conducive to stability. Yet, Van der Poel and Bertels seem to have cracked the code. Friends close to the couple describe their bond as “unshakeable,” built not just on attraction or fame, but on mutual respect and individual fulfillment.
“Roxanne isn’t just there to support Mathieu,” said a family friend. “She has her own identity, her own passions, and Mathieu loves that. They empower each other.”
During the holiday, the couple also took time for introspection. One image showed them sitting on a quiet balcony, holding hands with matching notebooks in their laps. The caption read: “Planning not just races, but life.”
Many interpreted this as a nod toward future plans—possibly an engagement, shared business ventures, or even a foundation project. Speculation aside, what remains clear is that theirs is a relationship built on shared purpose.
Reflections on the Road Ahead
The vacation marked a brief pause in what has already been a banner year for Van der Poel. Following his world championship win and a dominant classics season, he is slated to target the Olympics and potentially a Grand Tour in the near future. Such ambitions require singular focus—but as he made clear during a recent interview, that focus is now fueled by something deeper.
“I used to think cycling was everything,” he told a Dutch journalist. “Now I realize it’s part of a bigger picture. Being happy off the bike helps me on it.”
Roxanne echoed similar sentiments in a recent lifestyle podcast. “Mathieu is most himself when he’s not being ‘Mathieu van der Poel’ the athlete. Our trips are where we reconnect without the noise, just as two people figuring life out.”
The Takeaway: Why It Matters
In a world increasingly obsessed with performance, analytics, and competition, stories like these serve as powerful reminders. Athletes are not machines. They are people with emotions, dreams, and a profound need for connection. When they take time to nurture those parts of themselves, everyone wins—fans, families, and yes, even results on the road.
For Van der Poel and Bertels, the baecation was more than a sun-soaked getaway. It was a quiet proclamation of values: love, balance, and intentional living.
As one fan beautifully commented, “You guys just proved you can chase podiums and still hold hands.”
Whether this trip marks the start of a new chapter or simply a well-earned pause before the next storm of races, one thing is certain: cycling’s power couple has captured hearts not just for what they do on the bike, but for who they are off it.
And in doing so, they’ve reminded us that behind every champion is a life worth cherishing—and sharing.
