Mathieu van der Poel is in peak form, and the world should take notice. The Dutch leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck is set to compete in the Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday after a triumphant return at Le Samyn. In the coming weeks, he will chase more major victories, forcing even cycling superstar Tadej Pogačar to contend with him.
Pogačar, representing UAE Team Emirates-XRG, had an impressive start to the season, securing two stage wins and the overall title at the UAE Tour before claiming victory at Strade Bianche—despite a brutal crash. His ability to recover and dominate once again showcased his remarkable talent. Van der Poel, who watched the incident on TV, acknowledged that luck plays a role in crashes and was relieved that Pogačar wasn’t seriously injured.
Van der Poel and Pogačar share mutual respect and occasionally exchange messages. Van der Poel, when asked about his favorite cyclist, chose Pogačar without hesitation, praising his dominance and extraordinary strength. However, he also noted that such superiority can have drawbacks, as fans sometimes prefer an underdog rather than a dominant force in the sport similar to when Visma | Lease a Bike was at its peak.
At the Tirreno-Adriatico press conference, Van der Poel’s admiration gave way to competitive determination. Filippo Ganna of INEOS Grenadiers confidently stated that he isn’t intimidated by today’s top riders. Van der Poel agreed, emphasizing that while Pogačar is tough to beat, having dropped him in the Tour of Flanders even when he was at his best, he still aims to defeat him, especially in races like Milan-Sanremo.
Regarding their chances against Pogačar in a sprint finish, Van der Poel admitted he likely has an edge, possibly winning eight out of ten times. However, he acknowledged that endurance plays a crucial role, recalling his unexpected loss to Kasper Asgreen in the Tour of Flanders. Despite Pogačar being the man to beat, Van der Poel remains confident, believing that anything is possible in a race, as demonstrated by the unpredictable nature of Strade Bianche.
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