Max Verstappen, the Formula One champion, has been overlooked for the Dutch Sports Personality of the Year award, despite his record-breaking season. Verstappen, who won 19 out of 22 races and secured his third consecutive championship, was beaten by cyclist Mathieu van der Poel, who had an exceptional year with victories in prestigious races and the Road World Championships.

Verstappen's Spectacular Season

Max Verstappen, the Red Bull superstar, had an extraordinary season in Formula One, winning 19 out of 22 races and securing his third successive championship. He also set a record points total of 575, unmatched by any driver in F1 history. Despite his remarkable achievements, Verstappen missed out on the Dutch Sports Personality of the Year award.

Van der Poel's Cycling Triumphs

Cyclist Mathieu van der Poel, 28, clinched the Dutch Sports Personality of the Year award with his outstanding performances in various races. He won ten races in a row from May to September, including prestigious events like Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo. Van der Poel topped off his year by winning the Road World Championships in Glasgow.

Van der Poel's Memorable Moments

In addition to his victories, Mathieu van der Poel had some memorable moments throughout the year. He crashed during a race, damaging his shoe, but managed to hold on for victory. He also had to make an unexpected stop at a stranger's house for a restroom break. These incidents only added to the drama of his incredible season.

Verstappen's Past Wins

Max Verstappen had previously won the Dutch Sports Personality of the Year award in 2019 and 2020 following his F1 championship wins. However, this year, the honor went to Mathieu van der Poel, who now has an equal number of wins to Verstappen.

Fans React to the Decision

The decision to award Mathieu van der Poel the Dutch Sports Personality of the Year title sparked mixed reactions among fans. While some praised his exceptional performances and believed he deserved the award, others expressed disappointment that Verstappen was not recognized for his historic F1 season.

One fan commented, "Max had the greatest ever season in F1 history, and yet MvdP was the best Dutch athlete this year. Speaks volumes. Elite riding." Another fan simply called the decision a "no brainer," while a third jokingly compared Verstappen's driving skills to Van der Poel's cycling prowess, saying, "A man who drives a machine versus a man who is a machine. No contest!"