Overview
- He announced via Instagram that he will not start any World Cup races this winter and will not compete at Milan–Cortina 2026.
- He explained that training with top athletes at Reiteralm showed the standard required, which he concluded he cannot reach right now.
- A December 2024 cruciate ligament tear curtailed his preparation, followed by a calf layoff and hip problems that hindered speed and confidence.
- He emphasized this is not a renewed retirement and said he will keep training with the goal of trying again next year.
- The eight-time overall World Cup winner and two-time Olympic champion had returned to race for the Netherlands after his 2019 retirement, with an early-season start once expected in Sölden.