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

[Red Rick]

Probably true. I just don't see the harm in trying, I guess. Greg used to ride all classics through Liège, and I don't think it was fatigue that prevented him from winning that one.

You made me check and GvA actually only did the Roubaix-Liege combo 3 times, so even for him it wasn't that common.

I think because Van der Poel did CX his season is effectively a little longer than that of most competitors, so he may just feel a slightly longer break is more important. Also the WC is after the Tour this year, so that's all the more reason to get that Tour prep exactly right this time.

 

[tobydawq]

I don't think Van der Poel has the mentality needed to just show up.

Didn't he do that just rwo days ago?

He could always point to Kragh and Hermans and say that he was there, riding for them (if it ended up being proved that he indeed was past his peak).

 

[tobydawq]

You made me check and GvA actually only did the Roubaix-Liege combo 3 times, so even for him it wasn't that common.

I think because Van der Poel did CX his season is effectively a little longer than that of most competitors, so he may just feel a slightly longer break is more important. Also the WC is after the Tour this year, so that's all the more reason to get that Tour prep exactly right this time.

Yeah, it was only after his Olympic win that Greg began doing that.

The WC point is good, I think that makes sense (but still, will one week really do that much difference this far out)? Anyway, if he wins Roubaix, he will definitely have earned a rest.

And imagine that; 2 wins in the season, 2 monuments.

 

[Red Rick]

And imagine that; 2 wins in the season, 2 monuments.

Inverse July merchant?

 

[tobydawq]

Inverse July merchant?

I don't really understand what you mean?

But it kind of reminds me of 2017 when Froome's first win was the Tour GC but he then of course had to throw the amazing stat away by winning two stages before the overall GC in the Vuelta.

 

[Red Rick]

I don't really understand what you mean?

But it kind of reminds me of 2017 when Froome's first win was the Tour GC but he then of course had to throw the amazing stat away by winning two stages before the overall GC in the Vuelta.

It's the inverse of say when Armstrong would only show up in shape for the Tour and win it, and would do pretty much nothingn outside of that.

 

[theyoungest]

Probably true. I just don't see the harm in trying, I guess. Greg used to ride all classics through Liège, and I don't think it was fatigue that prevented him from winning that one.

It wasn't too long ago we were wondering if we were ever going to see a Van der Poel in top shape again, what with his back problems and all. Then with cross worlds suddenly we saw a completely different MVDP again, and we haven't looked back since. I think he's wise not to overdo it.

 

[tobydawq]

It's the inverse of say when Armstrong would only show up in shape for the Tour and win it, and would do pretty much nothingn outside of that.

Well, isn't it the "momunet equivalent" of doing that?

Not being worth anything in the rest of the races on the calendar?

Edit: And yes, I know he was worth something in E3.

 

[Valv.Piti]

After Roubaix no Amstel no Liege. Rest, altitude camps and Suisse to prep for the next big goal Tour de France.

So no MTB it seems.

Thank god. Although I would really have loved to see him in the Ardennes, at least Amstel is weird not racing when he thankfully decided to drop that nonsense.

 

[Red Rick]

Well, isn't it the "momunet equivalent" of doing that?

Not being worth anything in the rest of the races on the calendar?

Edit: And yes, I know he was worth something in E3.

E3 is just, the Dauphine of classics man.

 

[tobydawq]

E3 is just, the Dauphine of classics man.

Well, that's not wrong.

 

[Valv.Piti]

What is G-W then? Tour of Switzerland?

 

[Ricco']

I think it makes sense to skip Nove Mesto, because there's only one viable race in May to start since the others two are in a crucial part for TdF preparation (and being the first race of the season, everyone will be there).

If he indeed wants to go to Paris 2024 in the MTB and needs to farm points to get NL a place, I think it's more sensible to do an optimal preparation for Tour and Rainbow Jersey and then do the whole block of races from Vallnord Pal Arinsal (27 august) to Mont-Sainte-Anne (08 october) - 4 races-, as without a WCH in the end of september there won't be many goals to focus in the end of the season. And as a plus, if last year is anything to go by, the fields in North America World Cups are way thinner and without much depth, so it would be easier to gain points.

 

[Netserk]

Didn't he do that just rwo days ago?

He could always point to Kragh and Hermans and say that he was there, riding for them (if it ended up being proved that he indeed was past his peak).

I think a training ride ahead of your big goal is quite different mentally to racing for a (minor) result in a hard race that is out of your comfort zone when you are tired.

 

[KZD]

Absolutely brilliant classics season for Van der Poel. Two maiden monument wins in MSR and Paris Roubaix and 2nd in Flanders where he already won twice. Crazy first part of the season for him with the CX World title too.

 

[Peyroteo94]

The real deal after Pogacar.

 

[Salvarani]

Absolutely brilliant classics season for Van der Poel. Two maiden monument wins in MSR and Paris Roubaix and 2nd in Flanders where he already won twice. Crazy first part of the season for him with the CX World title too.

He rises up to the occasion and takes the big wins. What a rider!

 

[F_Cance]

more reckless than prime Sagan. First Ackermann, then Degenkolb.

 

[Valv.Piti]

more reckless than prime Sagan. First Ackermann, then Degenkolb.

To be fair he just doesn't have that mental block that most people have, he was close to crashing 5 times today, but in his mind he was safe and sound throughout probably. Thats a strength, and I really dont blame him for the crash at all, but I would have liked to see him deal with Van Aert might have rode away in the sunset today.

 

[Red Rick]

I was surprised by how big his move on Carrefour was still after firing a few bullets before.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I was surprised by how big his move on Carrefour was still after firing a few bullets before.

Wouts move until it became Mathieus. But yes, they were superior and thats why people should be banned from talking about cycling and honestly drug tested for putting anyone on their level this race.

What Im by far most interested in is how big the Van Aert gap was to Mathieu and if it was down to being unattentive or Van Aert slightly stronger in that spot in the race.

 

[Red Rick]

Wouts move until it became Mathieus. But yes, they were superior and thats why people should be banned from talking about cycling and honestly drug tested for putting anyone on their level this race.

What Im by far most interested in is how big the Van Aert gap was to Mathieu and if it was down to being unattentive or Van Aert slightly stronger in that spot in the race.

The gap between the two when Van der Poel started attacking? Wasn't that big I think, I think Van Aert had slowly crawled his way to Van der Poels wheel before. I was really questioning Van Aert starting Carrefour in the last wheel before that.

 

[vwpe]

Van aert wasnt even close to riding Van der poel down that surprised me a bit after all the work MVDP did for 90km in that group,, MVDP was clearly the strongest by far not to say the least the amount of work he did over anyone in that group for 90km was insane also the one pull were Van art was able to follow to have that much left just wooow.. This 2023 MVDP edition is scary strong!

The finishing of grand tours which he did for the first time last year seems to have made him stronger as is the saying on the streets from former pros. (the benefit of finishing GT makes u stronger)

If he somewhat prioritze road racing even more during winter he will become even more stronger for the classic season which is crazy to think about.

 

[Valv.Piti]

The gap between the two when Van der Poel started attacking? Wasn't that big I think, I think Van Aert had slowly crawled his way to Van der Poels wheel before. I was really questioning Van Aert starting Carrefour in the last wheel before that.

No, the gap Van Aert had made before puncturing. I think all of us need to watch that sector again and fully understand what happened because that gap look dangerously close to be enough to hold Mathieu off.

 

[Red Rick]

No, the gap Van Aert had made before puncturing. I think all of us need to watch that sector again and fully understand what happened because that gap look dangerously close to be enough to hold Mathieu off.

Not surprising you don't go full speed on cobbles with a flat tire?