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

[Axel Hangleck]

Hopefully his team will know when to pull the plug - you wouldn't want to see too many more efforts like yesterday, where he emptied himself.

 

[Bolder]

I could be wrong but I suspect he won't continue after this weekend, or even today. Unless he gets in a break and somehow takes more time. Anything more than one or two Alps stages might put him at a disadvantage for Tokyo.

But how great is it that he and Wout are 1/2 after the first 7 stages? They really are imperious racers. If Wout hadn't had his appendectomy I think he'd be in yellow.

 

[KZD]

I think yesterday was the swan song. Today he will lose the jersey and probably abandon the race after the stage although there is still the possibility the he goes into the second week.

One thing is for sure, this Tour was already a big success for him and he honoured the yellow jersey like few.

 

[Open Horizon]

Yep he should absolutely abandon the Tour either after today or tomorrow.

The remaining stages offer almost nothing of interest to him. He's already given sponsors, fans and the ASO more than they can ask for with that sensational opening week. Now it's time to prepare for the Olympic mission.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I think yesterday was the swan song. Today he will lose the jersey and probably abandon the race after the stage although there is still the possibility the he goes into the second week.

One thing is for sure, this Tour was already a big success for him and he honoured the yellow jersey like few.

nah i'll think he will continue until the rest day. Perfect time to go out. Use some mountains as training for MTB

 

[dutchdescent]

Thank you MvdP for a unforgettable TDF debut. Now it's time to bow out, dust of the XC bike and smash Tokyo.

 

[Bonimenier]

In an interview after the race he said he might abandon the race on the rest day. That would be a logical choice.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

there's nothing for him to gain anymore here so yes. Plus it will give him time to go to Tokyo in time and do some MTB specific training

 

[jmdirt]

Normally I dislike it when racers drop out of GTs for other goals, but he has a childhood goal of winning XCO gold. If the team/sponsors wouldn't have preferred to have him at the TdF he probably would't have raced. That being said, he, team, sponsors, family, friends, fans, ASO, UCI, etc. are thrilled that he raced the TdF!

 

[Netserk]

He lasted less than 1 stage more than Ewan in the Giro. Sensible decision in both cases.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

You can't do everything when combining 3 discplines. And he gave the sponsor what they wanted. Stage win plus a week of yellow.

 

[Red Rick]

Lmao taking the piss.

 

[will-10]

Late entry for Les Gets?

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Sensible decision; nothing more to be gained. Recover, and get ready for Tokyo, as that's not going to be easy.

 

[senna6541]

Good to see him sticking to his plan. Ironically, the folks bagging on him for leaving the tour are probably the same ones (roadies) who bagged on him for racing balls to the wall at TA.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Good to see him sticking to his plan. Ironically, the folks bagging on him for leaving the tour are probably the same ones (roadies) who bagged on him for racing balls to the wall at TA.

They're simply not getting that he's not a full time road rider - and rides other disciplines. It's not as if it was a surprise either - he's been planning to go the Olympics for the last 3-4 years.

 

[TomBonnen2005]

Let's hope he gets a chance to beat Pidcock after the last MTB demonstration, the brit is a beast. The green jersey was really an option for MVDP, the risk is to lose everything, but that's part of the sport! Would also have liked to see him taking part to some sprints now that Merlier left the team.

 

[Netserk]

They're simply not getting that he's not a full time road rider - and rides other disciplines. It's not as if it was a surprise either - he's been planning to go the Olympics for the last 3-4 years.

Ewan had also planned to focus on the Tour before he decided to do the Giro, yet that didn't stop people from moaning when he left early. The two cases are fairly equivalent.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Not that VDP cares at all that people cry about it. He doesn't seem to be impressed with any outside influences regardless

 

[Spine Concept]

Let's hope he gets a chance to beat Pidcock after the last MTB demonstration, the brit is a beast. The green jersey was really an option for MVDP, the risk is to lose everything, but that's part of the sport! Would also have liked to see him taking part to some sprints now that Merlier left the team.

I’d like a lot of things too. Reality is that he has been planning and looking forward to the OG for a long time now. With that in mind it’s the only sensible thing for him to do.

There’s always next year for the Tour.

 

[Spine Concept]

Ewan had also planned to focus on the Tour before he decided to do the Giro, yet that didn't stop people from moaning when he left early. The two cases are fairly equivalent.

I definitely wasn’t one of those moaners cause I think they should make that decision for themselves. However, in Mathieu’s case the OG only come a around once every 4 years. GT’s are every year.

 

[Spine Concept]

Not that VDP cares at all that people cry about it. He doesn't seem to be impressed with any outside influences regardless

Which is what I like about him. He won’t lose any sleep over the moaners. By this time next year nobody will even remember what they were making such a big fuss about now.

People will always find something to whine about which is why you should always stick to your guns.

 

[Red Rick]

Gotta love how we're back at the point where anyone disagreeing is whining, moaning or crying.

 

[Spine Concept]

Gotta love how we're back at the point where anyone disagreeing is whining, moaning or crying.

Only if you believe that those labels are solely based in reference to comments made on the CN forum. Take a look at comments made outside of CN, on other (social-media) platforms. Moaners and whiners galore.