Teams & Riders The "MVP" Mathieu Van der Poel Road Discussion Thread

[Zoef-Lightning]

If this, if that. Same can be said for any rider at any point in any situation. Fact is, they didn’t and thus came in second deservedly. If Mathieu didn’t overtrain he’d have won a lot more races last year. If he didn’t do so much work he could have conserved more energy and beat Asgreen in the sprint. If, if, if. We can go on and on about this.

That's the reason that I nuance that Van Aert is beaten more often by VDP. In a sprint or not. The one who loses often has an excuse. Not always. The "losing" Van Aert has often stated that the winner deserved to win. What can't be said of every rider

 

[Peyroteo94]

I think MVP has more chances of winning ronde with WVA in the race. Jumbo has a monster team, MVP only needed to stay on WVA's wheel and drop him in the paterberg. Now the race will be a lot more open.

 

[Spine Concept]

That's the reason that I nuance that Van Aert is beaten more often by VDP. In a sprint or not. The one who loses often has an excuse. Not always. The "losing" Van Aert has often stated that the winner deserved to win. What can't be said of every rider

Same can be said for Mathieu. I can't remember him ever saying that the winner wasn't deserved or denying that he wasn't the strongest on the day which is exactly what he said after DDV as well. As a matter of fact, Mathieu is one of the most humble riders in the peloton for someone of his talent and pedigree.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think MVP has more chances of winning ronde with WVA in the race. Jumbo has a monster team, MVP only needed to stay on WVA's wheel and drop him in the paterberg. Now the race will be a lot more open.

This.

WVA not being there is totally *** for VDP. Now VDP needs to ride against the whole peloton

 

[senna6541]

WTF? You do understand it is possible to be a fan of both riders? Or are you just having a bit of fun razzing people?

Just razzing Wout fans (especially Logic). That said, while I appreciate Wout and respect his immense talent, for whatever reason when I started following CX at the height of their rivalry I gravitated towards MVDP - not even sure why. Probably his handling skills and style of racing - the fact that on a given day he is able to do things no one else can really do. Their rivalry is very similar to Senna/Prost to me - and obviously I was a Senna fan back then - but have huge respect for Prost as a driver and competitor.

 

[stonerider]

Just razzing Wout fans (especially Logic). That said, while I appreciate Wout and respect his immense talent, for whatever reason when I started following CX at the height of their rivalry I gravitated towards MVDP - not even sure why. Probably his handling skills and style of racing - the fact that on a given day he is able to do things no one else can really do. Their rivalry is very similar to Senna/Prost to me - and obviously I was a Senna fan back then - but have huge respect for Prost as a driver and competitor.

I too started watching the kids race in CX and gravitated toward MVDP because of his flash and bike handling skills. I viewed Wout as more "boring" to watch. But now, I really appreciate the training discipline Wout displays to be the best on the road. While Wout was focused, but maybe over-raced in 2021, MVDP was all over the place and he paid for it dearly by not taking his recovery between disciplines seriously. You can't be on top form 12 months of the year...that's for sure.

 

[jmdirt]

BEAST! Congrats Mathieu!

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

VDP up on WVA 2-1 in monuments now.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

VDP up on WVA 2-1 in monuments now.

2-0 in cobbles monuments

 

[Blanco]

VDP up on WVA 2-1 in monuments now.

It was 0-1, advantage will only grow...
What a racer!

 

[Ricco']

Mad lad!

This one got me on my nerves but it makes up for the disappointment of last year.

And 3 years in a row we have memorable Ronde finishes thanks to VDP. Since I watch De Ronde, I honestly don't remember so many tight races for the win in the last km.

 

[glassmoon]

Brilliant execution, superb performance. MVP.
Pog got schooled big time during the sprint.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

VDP rode a smart race.

But Pogacar made him look normal. Unreal how Pogacar can just keep going

 

[Red Rick]

VDP rode a smart race.

But Pogacar made him look normal. Unreal how Pogacar can just keep going

I was also very surprised by Madouas here. Basically all the top 4 are reasonably good climbers or better.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Incredible tactics from VDP. Absolute masterclass.

I criticised him in the past for his tactics. Today he was superb.

If WVA was in VDP's position in that final. He would have kept the pace high to prevent being caught, and led pogacar out to victory.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Fantastic win! He was a bit slow to react on the second Kwaremont, but from there on he looked impressive all the time. His only difficult moment was on the final Paterberg, where he went into that little gutter on the side. After that I was pretty confident that he was going to win that sprint, because he looked relaxed. Insane risk in the final km, but it worked out right. Next year he might equal the record of three wins!

 

[Eclipse]

Brilliant ride.

I think we often take it for granted, but this is how strong MVDP is when he isn't the one being leant on.

 

[SafeBet]

WT Classics won:
Ronde van Vlaanderen 2x
Dwars door Vlaanderen 2x
Amstel Gold Race
Strade Bianche

10 Monuments ridden:
9 top10s
5 podiums (4 consecutive)
2 wins
Worst result 13th in Sanremo 2020

 

[tobydawq]

For someone whose spring got ruined because of an injury he has had a pretty good spring.

 

[sir fly]

The way he hanged on on the Paterberg was worth of victory.
Kwaremont was the experience... both times.

And the number of race days just magnifies the results.
Real class.

 

[Red Rick]

At long last has the shared most monuments in his own family.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Congrats on this victory, his second at Flandres. Very interesting race today. He had a very strong rival today but was the fastest at the end.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Vdp results in Flanders:
4,1,2,1

Damn

 

[meat puppet]

Rode the perfect finale, especially the sprint was phenomenal. And I got served right: no, the base was not lacking. At all.

But if the steep part of Paterberg was 50-100m longer, who knows? He really dug deep there.

Has MvdP uploaded the ride yet? Will be very interesting to see the watts.

 

[Ricco']

Rode the perfect finale, especially the sprint was phenomenal. And I got served right: no, the base was not lacking. At all.

But if the steep part of Paterberg was 50-100m longer, who knows? He really dug deep there.

Has MvdP uploaded the ride yet? Will be very interesting to see the watts.

Yes

3'03 in the cobbled part of the 2nd Kwaremont (Asgreen with 2'59 for the KOM - same as Pogacar). 555 watts for the whole effort for MVdP

649 watts for 1'10 in the last Paterberg. 11 seconds slower than his PB there (made at 2021 E3)