Has he held a press conference yet to say he is the sole leader of the Belgian team for Fayetteville?
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I doubt van der Poel will go for green. But if he is, it's the other way around. Van Aert has been saying for a long time he wants to go for green. Recently van der Poel mentioned he might do as well.So the reason Van Aert wants to go for green is Van der Poel are going for green?
It was mentioned on todays cyclocross they both will go for green and it made me realize next year might be as much about green as about yellow.I doubt van der Poel will go for green. But if he is, it's the other way around. Van Aert has been saying for a long time he wants to go for green. Recently van der Poel mentioned he might do as well.
I don't think fatigue will be the issue (and also don't understand where this narrative comes from). Positioning in real bunch sprint and Philipsen or Merlier participating are way more likely reasons for him to not be close in the points classification.Barring accidents or illness, MvdP doesn't stand a chance against Wout going for the green jersey at the TdF. After the 1st week MvdP will be battling fatigue while Wout will hold his form.
MvdP has never done a 3 week stage race...and anytime he's gone hard in a ONE week race his form has decreased the weeks after. It's easy to see he can't hold a candle to Wout in a 3 week race.I don't think fatigue will be the issue (and also don't understand where this narrative comes from). Positioning in real bunch sprint and Philipsen or Merlier participating are way more likely reasons for him to not be close in the points classification.
This year he wasn't worse than van Aert after TA. Last year he was excellent after going full in the Benelux Tour. Those were pretty much the only 2 times he raced shortly after riding a high level 1 week race. How is it easy to see if he has never done a full GT?MvdP has never done a 3 week stage race...and anytime he's gone hard in a ONE week race his form has decreased the weeks after. It's easy to see he can't hold a candle to Wout in a 3 week race.
Van Aert went all out in the Tireno, every day. Van der Poel didn't, so you can't really use that argument. If he wants to commit to green, he needs to commit fully and score points on a daily basis. So, that in fact is still an unknown for him, not for Van Aert, who has shown in the previous years that he can perform throughout 3 weeks. That doesn't mean Van der Poel can't do it, just that there is no proof of it yet. I don't really question his physical ability, but i do wonder if he can keep it up mentally (as in, not get bored, pull some less smart stunts, lose focus etc...).This year he wasn't worse than van Aert after TA. Last year he was excellent after going full in the Benelux Tour. Those were pretty much the only 2 times he raced shortly after riding a high level 1 week race. How is it easy to see if he has never done a full GT?
Haven't studied the parcours for green but my first instinct just goes "wait surely Alpecin isn't gonna go for Van der Poel in the flat bunch sprints?"Van Aert went all out in the Tireno, every day. Van der Poel didn't, so you can't really use that argument. If he wants to commit to green, he needs to commit fully and score points on a daily basis. So, that in fact is still an unknown for him, not for Van Aert, who has shown in the previous years that he can perform throughout 3 weeks. That doesn't mean Van der Poel can't do it, just that there is no proof of it yet. I don't really question his physical ability, but i do wonder if he can keep it up mentally (as in, not get bored, pull some less smart stunts, lose focus etc...).
Yep, i've basically said the same last week when the discussion was about him or Philipsen going for green.Haven't studied the parcours for green but my first instinct just goes "wait surely Alpecin isn't gonna go for Van der Poel in the flat bunch sprints?"
All riders of Baloise Trek Lions were also missing, but it's not like it would have changed a lot.Five months after the heat of double Ventoux, Wout today won in the snow. Wonderful race. Only one who was missing was MVDP, of course.
Next weekend Mathieu joins his fellow crossers. Start of four months WVA vs MVDP vs Pidcock - from next weekend until Amstel and Roubaix. These three top guys against each other, racing 1-2x/week. Can‘t wait…
Fingers crossed that they all stay healthy and uninjured, of course.
Next weekend Mathieu joins his fellow crossers. Start of four months WVA vs MVDP vs Pidcock - from next weekend until Amstel and Roubaix. These three top guys against each other, racing 1-2x/week. Can‘t wait…
I wonder when that man ever sees his family Like when is he ever having a day off? He's always everywhereWout will not be there next week...he'll be at a Jumbo Vismo team camp in Spain. He drops into CX, gets 3 straight wins and some intensity, then jets off to Spain for a week of sun and base miles. He'll be back for the Christmas CX races.
I wonder when that man ever sees his family Like when is he ever having a day off? He's always everywhere
If I'm not mistaking Lotto Jumbo NL allows wives and kids to accompany their riders on training camps. But yes. They guy hardly ever does nothing. Even when on vacation with his family he goes om 8k runs every mornings just for the fun of it.
Five months after the heat of double Ventoux, Wout today won in the snow. Wonderful race. Only one who was missing was MVDP, of course.
Next weekend Mathieu joins his fellow crossers. Start of four months WVA vs MVDP vs Pidcock - from next weekend until Amstel and Roubaix. These three top guys against each other, racing 1-2x/week. Can‘t wait…
Fingers crossed that they all stay healthy and uninjured, of course.
Let's not get carried away dear Belgian friends. WVA is a cyclo-cross legend and an absolute beast. But on the moment he has a road palmare worse than Pippo Pozzato or Alessandro Ballan.
You don't think he's an absolute beast? Bit harsh.Not really.