Hoping for the best. An RVV or PR without MVDP is a level less. On form, he pretty much makes any 1 day race he enters. The last Strava post looked suspiciously close to training - even for a freak like MVDP.
Interesting how MVDP puts it all out there on Strava, including his HR. Seems like his HR strap ain't working so well though. Damn if that last post isn't actual "training".
- Feb 22, 2013
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So far so good. Today was the first 'serious test'. 5 hour ride with plenty of vertical meters. Now let's see how his back responds.
Though even if everything goes smoothly, it's hard to see him compete seriously with Van Aert, Asgreen, Colbrelli, Alaphillipe and Pidcock come spring, but perhaps he can pull fun some stunts.
Though even if everything goes smoothly, it's hard to see him compete seriously with Van Aert, Asgreen, Colbrelli, Alaphillipe and Pidcock come spring, but perhaps he can pull fun some stunts.
He doesn't always do this. He'll go months without uploading to Strava sometimes. Wout posts all his rides and runs to Strava...but without the power and HR data.
- May 19, 2012
- 5,449
- 2,737
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i don't think his back will ever be fully nor permanently healed. he doesn't have an injury, he has a condition and the ultimate level sport he's doing as a daily job isn't gonna help with that obviously... i fear that this will be the reoccurring problem for him... sadly.
- Jun 7, 2011
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- 20,309
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If he'd be fine, that would almost mean the training he would otherwise have been doing for the past 2 months would have been mainly unnecessary.
He only has a short timespan to get ready, there is virtually no way for him to be 100%. He'll have to try and get as close to top shape as possible and use his head (ride more conservatively) if he wants to get some results, i'm afraid.
- Feb 22, 2013
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He did another ride today, and posted the following:
www.strava.com
Good signs
Whether he'll be 'fine' come spring, well, that depends on your standards. He typically doesn't need a lot of time to grow into relative competitive form, but there's still a major difference between the solid rider but sub-par MvdP we saw in Leuven (where he did finish before WvA), and the more typical MvdP we saw in Roubaix a week later.
I suppose if his progress doesn't falter, he could certainly be 'up there' in the final of De Ronde if he simply follows the wheels of Asgreen, WvA and their army of drones. Similar strategy should go a long way in Amstel. And then reach peak form for Roubaix and perhaps LBL.
Starting to understand why there are so many cyclists over here 😍 | Strava
View Mathieu van der Poel's ride on February 15, 2022 | Strava
www.strava.com
Good signs
Whether he'll be 'fine' come spring, well, that depends on your standards. He typically doesn't need a lot of time to grow into relative competitive form, but there's still a major difference between the solid rider but sub-par MvdP we saw in Leuven (where he did finish before WvA), and the more typical MvdP we saw in Roubaix a week later.
I suppose if his progress doesn't falter, he could certainly be 'up there' in the final of De Ronde if he simply follows the wheels of Asgreen, WvA and their army of drones. Similar strategy should go a long way in Amstel. And then reach peak form for Roubaix and perhaps LBL.
Right, I realize he rarely posts - probably does it now cause he's bored. What I mean is that when he does post, he puts his power and HR out there - most guys, including Wout, do not. When he does post race data (like Amstel or SB) I think he's probably doing is telling everyone good luck matching me when I am truly on form.
Agreed, and it sucks not to get to see him at 100% - because there is nothing in cycling as exciting as watching MVDP at full power. But, he does seem to be able to "come off the couch" well - similar to another freak Greg Lemond.
I thought he'd still be resting at this time - it seems he's trying to see if it's possible to be in some kind of shape for the classics.
He is playing a dangerous game. I suspect he isn't really bothered by a "stiff" back anymore. So he can train normally now. But it is impossible that the back injury is completely healed. I therefore do not consider it impossible that, once he trains harder, or resumes the competition, he will have back problems again. Especially if he has to climb at a high level, on cobblestones.... And then what should happen ? The same story again, stop for a few weeks, then gradually start cycling again ? With a high probability that the result will be the same. Then we are already June or July.
There is a chance that the season is over when that scenario plays out.
There is a chance that the season is over when that scenario plays out.
- Feb 22, 2013
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Even back in september it was reported that casual rides aren't very taxing for his back, but as soon as he goes for a serious ride, the problems not only reveal themselves, but keep getting worse. So the mere fact that he is riding now, doesn't say all that much by itself.
As usual, the info we get from Alpecin ranges from non-existent to unreliable. Back in november C. Roodhooft said MvdP's back issues were gone, which later turned out to be a lie.
As usual, the info we get from Alpecin ranges from non-existent to unreliable. Back in november C. Roodhooft said MvdP's back issues were gone, which later turned out to be a lie.
Well, MVDP definitely seems to have the "high risk" gene - a gambler by nature, exacerbated by youth. Pro cycling (road anyway) looks like one helluva dangerous game - where it can all end with one bad crash on any given day whether training or racing. I guess if you have the talent and mental toughness to enter the velodrome at a brutal PR in a three up for the win when you're at maybe at 95%, you try to get yourself to as many starting lines as possible.
- Apr 3, 2009
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- Jun 7, 2011
- 20,975
- 20,309
- 28,180
He's had back issues since his junior years i think. So probably unlikely.
- Apr 3, 2009
- 12,593
- 8,454
- 28,180
- May 19, 2012
- 5,449
- 2,737
- 23,180
and that's why I can't understand why they always refer to his issues as an injury instead of a long term condition which it clearly is...
but I still believe (even if blindly) he can somehow manage and still add plenty of great victories to his palmares...
All you guys wanting him to ride a full 3 week grand tour just don't like the guy. You think his back is bad now...wait until week 3 of a grand tour. I'd rather see him concentrate on 1 day races where he has time to rest his back after each extreme effort.
- Jun 24, 2013
- 3,548
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- Oct 31, 2018
- 575
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- 6,780
A rider like MVP deserves the biggest cycling podium in the world which is the Tour de France.
I hope his back is good enough for that.
- Feb 22, 2013
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I don't care much about him striving for Paris. but the first Tour week is a festival. He'll definitely be aiming to shine there. And if his back forces him to drop out afterwards, fine. More time to recover.
In fact I wouldn't mind if his schedule for the rest of his career is just spring classics, first Tour week, and then Fall classics. at this point, MTB and CX are acceptable and perhaps even inevitable sacrifices to make if it means he can excell in the former.
In fact I wouldn't mind if his schedule for the rest of his career is just spring classics, first Tour week, and then Fall classics. at this point, MTB and CX are acceptable and perhaps even inevitable sacrifices to make if it means he can excell in the former.
Well, he pretty much was the story at the TDF this year until he left. You get used to watching this guy do crazy stuff on the bike, so you take things like what he did on stage 2 for granted - but you won't see it often. Just like you won't see stuff like what he did at AG in 2019 or SB, his 200+ CX wins, etc. often. Greatness isn't just measured by career palmares - especially now when there are so many great riders who will get their share. Schumacher, Hamilton and Prost have more titles than Senna, but ask most racing drivers who's best and Senna will be at the top. Because on any given day he could do things that no one could or can do.
- Feb 22, 2013
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Absolutely. What Van der Poel did in 2019 across all three disciplines is like something out of a dream.
Perhaps in a few years we'll be forced to conclude that yes, it wasn't sustainable.
But as for now, there's still plenty of hope:
His ride today was the longest and heaviest in months. And that after training the previous 4 days as well.. Game's still on
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