Van Der Poel: "I don't really like the Tour de France"

Rome, 6 January 2025 - His amazing winning ride in cyclocross, with 5 hits in 5 races dispute, it was abruptly interrupted due to a blow to the side suffered by Loenhout, the scene of another success for a change: the return to the mud should take place at the end of the month, but in the meantime Matthew Van Der Poel to the microphones of Spouse he also started thinking about the road season, which is no longer so far away.

Van Der Poel's statements

The Dutchman first spoke of a 2024 excellent especially in spring. "Winning the Tour of Flanders , Paris-Roubaix in the rainbow jersey was the pinnacle of my career, as well as something unique. In the Flanders It was tough due to the extreme weather conditions and in fact I felt similar sensations to those in Harrogate World Championships since 2019, with hunger, cold and the certainty that the race could not last too long for me". The future of the runner of theAlpecin-Deceuninck in Classics seems to put on the horizon many other challenges against his friend and rival Tadej pogacar. "It will be difficult to beat him, but it is a challenge that I am happy to accept. We are working to try to reduce the gap to him and to try to win especially at Tour of FlandersWe are raising the level in training and I have reduced the calendar in cyclocross, giving up the race World Cup di Benidorm, because in that period I prefer to work better in view of spring".

We move on to Grand Tours and the surprise, especially considering the transalpine blood that flows in his veins, is quite big. "The Tour de France It's a race that I don't like very much, because apart from trying to win stages and wear the yellow jersey, there isn't much for me. I prefer to concentrate on races where I'm in the running for victory rather than others where I can't get almost anything". In this case, therefore, the role of luxury domestique for Jasper Phillipsen seems confirmed. "With him at my side, I aim to help him win as many stages as possible: I like it and it also takes the pressure off me."

We then move on to talk about the future and in particular about 2025. "If I could choose, I would like the world title of mountain bike: I have never succeeded and the idea is buzzing around in my head". Finally, the horizon widens. "In 2028 I will have the last chance to win the Olympics, since after Los Angeles I don't think I'll take part: it would be nice to be able to do it on a mountain bike. I certainly won't run until 40 years. I think it's important to stop when you reach a significant peak or when you've made peace with it. Sometimes I see runners racing for too long and this, in my opinion, takes away value from the results they've achieved previously". And what will he do? Van der Poel, now almost 30 years old, when I grow up? "I certainly won't get bored. I have many things to do, including taking part in a Ironman. So, yes, I will always be an athlete."