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

[Billie]

Three times he shows incredible form in Flanders and never even got the chance to start in Roubaix the week after. Can't wait to see him in Roubaix in october

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Yeah, shame he couldn't win another classic after Strade though. That feels kinda like a bummer/waste.

He also admitted that he was good, but not super like in Strade. Tirreno is to blame I think. Still, he was obviously good enough to win. But Asgreen was stronger, both in E3 and here. In MSR nobody had the legs to get away and in DVV he had an off day.

He said he's already looking forward to MTB because it's his 'favorite discipline'.

 

[SafeBet]

Results in Monuments so far

4
13
10
6
1
5
2

That's it. In 7 Monuments ridden he's been outside the top10 once.

 

[Ricco']

Seeing the numbers uploaded to Strava, he managed to do 1160 watts for 10 seconds in the final sprint before bonking. Puts into perspective the strength of Asgreen.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Seeing the numbers uploaded to Strava, he managed to do 1160 watts for 10 seconds in the final sprint before bonking. Puts into perspective the strength of Asgreen.

It's nowhere near his sprints at end of Amstel 2019 and Strade 2021.

I think it's pretty clear he pretty much peaked in the Italian races and after that he was good, but not the best VDP.
Shows he is human, not even he can keep a super form like he had in Strade and Tirreno for longer than 2 weeks.

 

[OlavEH]

I think it's pretty clear he pretty much peaked in the Italian races and after that he was good, but not the best VDP.
Shows he is human, not even he can keep a super form like he had in Strade and Tirreno for longer than 2 weeks.

Plus the effort he put in in stage 5 in TA was massive. That kind of exhaustion could pretty much have ruined the rest of the classics season completely. That breakway was impressive but pretty counterproductive in the long run.

 

[Spine Concept]

A road-side fan spotted in Antwerpen. Clicky.

 

[ppanther92]

Wait, so no Amstel even if he is the defending champion?

 

[tobydawq]

Correct, they probably knew he was the defending champ when they decided not to go.

 

[IndurainsTdF1994]

He really seems to be spreading himself too thin mid-season (SWI, nationals, TdF, Olympics). If he gets a medal at the Olympics on MTB, it really will be an indictment of that sport.

 

[Monte Serra]

He really seems to be spreading himself too thin mid-season (SWI, nationals, TdF, Olympics). If he gets a medal at the Olympics on MTB, it really will be an indictment of that sport.

Agree, riding the Tour and getting to Tokyo last minute, can't be called an optimal preparation. Also significant risk of injury on the hectic Breton roads of the opening stages.

 

[spalco]

He really seems to be spreading himself too thin mid-season (SWI, nationals, TdF, Olympics). If he gets a medal at the Olympics on MTB, it really will be an indictment of that sport.

I don't see it that way, Van der Poel is one of the best road cyclists we've seen in years, and that sport has much more money than MTB which attracts talent. Who's to say guys like Schurter or Absalon couldn't have had good careers on the road too if they wanted? Obviously there's a lot of cross-over skills.

Do you think the same about track cycling too?

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Some pretty ignorant views on here - but I wouldn't expect anymore from die hard road fans......

However, only doing 2 XCO races pre Olympics isn't the greatest preparation for the his main goal; but he is capable of doing things most others can't.

 

[Lequack]

If anyone misses some MVDP action (like me), they can watch Mathiue van der Poel and Tom Pidcock in a MTB race in half an hour, live @ 18:45. Women's race is half an hour earlier at 18:00.
Live stream:

XC short track recap – Nové Město

Watch the riders take on the demanding cross-country short track race at Nové Město na Moravě.

www.redbull.com

 

[limak_]

If anyone misses some MVDP action (like me), they can watch Mathiue van der Poel and Tom Pidcock in a MTB race in half an hour, live @ 18:30. Women's race is half an hour earlier at 18:00.
Live stream:

XCC short track – Nové Město

Oglej si, kako se spretni kolesarji spopadejo z zahtevno kros progo v kraju Nové Město na Moravě.

www.redbull.com

Thanks for reminding

 

[Lequack]

Should be exciting, the womens race look really muddy.

 

[Bolder]

8 for 8 in short track. Pidcock pushed him hard.

 

[spalco]

8 for 8 in short track. Pidcock pushed him hard.

VdP had "bad legs" though, according to himself.

I think he's amusing, but he certainly doesn't lack ego.

 

[Lequack]

VdP had "bad legs" though, according to himself.

I think he's amusing, but he certainly doesn't lack ego.

And then the interviewer asking him what he needs to do to get better, like he didn't just win a race a few minutes ago.

 

[kingjr]

VdP had "bad legs" though, according to himself.

I had the same impression tbh

 

[spalco]

I had the same impression tbh

Maybe. But who says that after winning a race?

You could interpret it as mocking his opponents.

 

[kingjr]

Maybe. But who says that after winning a race?

You could interpret it as mocking his opponents.

You can, if you want to. I think he's just being honest.

 

[spalco]

I honestly don't think he meant it like that, it's just who he is. But it could come off as a bit overly cocky.

 

[kingjr]

I honestly don't think he meant it like that, it's just who he is. But it could come off as a bit overly cocky.

Agreed. Btw, he said "not the best legs" rather than "bad legs", to be precise x)

 

[Bolder]

Honestly Pidcock is nearly as good as as mvdp at his age.