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

[memyselfandI]

Saw him in training ride today here down in Spain, looked fresh and snappy tbo and trimmed light too. Dunno if he's at the altitude room hotel nearby maybe.

 

[Extinction]

No, it's not just about punishment, but also discouragement. Even a pyscopath may alter their behavior if they believe it to be in their best interest.

Also this is a bike forum, if you want to virtue signal go on X.

Sayeth the snarky, self-appointed judge of zero consequence. Discouragement is built into the legal constraints and fostered through civic education. But you can't prevent crazy. The gesture was terribile, but fortunately without incident, and likely betrays some form of mental issue. She needs therapy, not a jail sentence.

 

[Nick2413]

What is his team’s actual plan going to be? Shredding the race apart has worked perfectly when he’s been the strongest but the exact opposite seems to be necessary this time around. Just try to hang on and hope for dear life when Pogacar attacks? Or can something fancy be done tactically?

 

[Red Rick]

What is his team’s actual plan going to be? Shredding the race apart has worked perfectly when he’s been the strongest but the exact opposite seems to be necessary this time around. Just try to hang on and hope for dear life when Pogacar attacks? Or can something fancy be done tactically?

Liege is among the least tactical monuments.

If we think they should race to MvdPs strength here, I'd say go hard in the easier, tailwind section in the first hours to put fatigue in everyone's legs.

 

[Bolder]

Exactly. He doesn't need a team here much. The key is Pogacar, when and where he will go. Maybe he will want to imitate Merckx and attack on Stockeau. The more he waits, Van Der Poel's chances are better.

The problem could be if Hirschi, Almeida or even Ulissi are feeling frisky and go with attacks. Then Pogacar just has to sit and wait for Mvdp to cover. This is assuming that Alpecin won't be able to cover with SKA and Hermans.

 

[Berniece]

The problem could be if Hirschi, Almeida or even Ulissi are feeling frisky and go with attacks. Then Pogacar just has to sit and wait for Mvdp to cover. This is assuming that Alpecin won't be able to cover with SKA and Hermans.

I don’t think they can. They are only there to ride for him, not for tactical play. At least that’s what I hope. Just ride like SOQ did last year

 

[Kwaremonster]

Liege is among the least tactical monuments.

If we think they should race to MvdPs strength here, I'd say go hard in the easier, tailwind section in the first hours to put fatigue in everyone's legs.

I wonder if they should "tactically" drop every time UAE starts pacing hard and then chase hard on the decent and flat and hope for everything to come back together and repeat this till La Redoute. Probably doesn't work like that, but if it would, he could save his legs a bit.

I have otherwise very little hope of a win for Mvdp. He is just to heavy to do these efforts all day with most of the peloton like 15 kg lighter.

Either way mvdp has to gamble at some point. I'm guessing it will be all or nothing for him, in that sense I'm guessing he will only mark Pogi.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Honestly I feel like he’s going to DNF after seeing how hard it is on top of the cold. Now if he 100% focuses on LBL like RVV and PR I think he could win especially if Pogacar and Evenepoel look at each other.

 

[Didinho]

Hopefully today he doesn’t suffer from the weather conditions and we see a full on fighting Mathieu. Trying to hang on, finding his limits here. Maybe pacing himself and coming back in descent/flat.
Hope he can give us a good race where he gave his all and with a good result. I’m secretly hoping he can do it.

 

[Berniece]

He doesn’t have to win today, this is purely to see how he would ride if he has this form with this physique. If he wins De Ronde next year, he might train differently in 2026 to win LBL.

 

[Kwaremonster]

I have been wondering if this is also to test himself for the upcoming and hillier worlds. That must still be a big goal for him even if the parcours doesn't suit him.

 

[Red Rick]

I have been wondering if this is also to test himself for the upcoming and hillier worlds. That must still be a big goal for him even if the parcours doesn't suit him.

Worlds aren't Liege difficulty, but it's still a decent test.

I find the Worlds very hard to estimate, but this is probably the most typical route we've had since the COVID break and the new cycling era started. In the old days this would likely be a Bergen like boring reduced sprint but I can't see that happening now.

 

[AmRacer]

Honestly I feel like he’s going to DNF after seeing how hard it is on top of the cold. Now if he 100% focuses on LBL like RVV and PR I think he could win especially if Pogacar and Evenepoel look at each other.

No Remco today.

 

[SHAD0W93]

No Remco today.

I’m aware and he’s still not going to come close to winning it this year. He’s had a long peak this season and UAE will make this race hard af.

 

[Blanco]

He'll be fine.
He lives in Belgium, he knows these hills, he has done this race before, he would never start if he thinks he can't be good.

 

[SHAD0W93]

He'll be fine.
He lives in Belgium, he knows these hills, he has done this race before, he would never start if he thinks he can't be good.

We shall see soon.

 

[Blanco]

We shall see soon.

Already on Wanne we will see if UAE is going full gas. The later they start, risk of Van Der Poel being around becomes bigger.

 

[Didinho]

Knows his strengths. Was out of contention at some point. Did a great race to his capabilities and podium’d Liege. I’m happy. He will be happy.

 

[kingjr]

Tactical masterclass

 

[Didinho]

First one to podium Ronde, Roubaix and Liège since?

 

[velaso montador]

Tactical masterclass

He really rode it brilliantly.

 

[DutchDynamite]

First one to podium Ronde, Roubaix and Liège since?

Adrie van der Poel, 1986

 

[Didinho]

He said he didn’t have his best legs like on the cobbles and he had not much left when they came back in the Pogi group. So really impressive to give his all untill the end.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I'm undecided on what I saw today.

The race did NOT go into his favor at all. And still finished 3rd. He was clearly not even in the top 20 climbers but also never lost much time, except to Pogi. And kept returning to win that sprint.

I think if he truly makes this a goal, skips cross, roubaix and flanders, and Pogi/Evenepoel don't participate, he actually stands a chance. But when Pogi/Evenepoel are there, sorry no.. they are just too good on that kind of course

 

[SHAD0W93]

I'm undecided on what I saw today.

The race did NOT go into his favor at all. And still finished 3rd. He was clearly not even in the top 20 climbers but also never lost much time, except to Pogi. And kept returning to win that sprint.

I think if he truly makes this a goal, skips cross, roubaix and flanders, and Pogi/Evenepoel don't participate, he actually stands a chance. But when Pogi/Evenepoel are there, sorry no.. they are just too good on that kind of course

I agree with this, he can definitely bring a group back on the flat and out sprint almost anyone. If in form and everything lines up, it’d be interesting seeing him try a long range attack.