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

[ChewbaccaDefense]

These Mathieu detractors are hilarious. There's obviously no objective reason for not liking Mathieu when the only reason they can muster up is "I just don't like the guy". How can anyone take these guys seriously.

Mathieu is an exemplary champion that youngins can look up to and model after. Gracious in victory and in defeat. A true racer that makes any race instantly more attractive when he's on the startlist. Always willing to go on the attack and break things up when least expected. When he does force a break he never shies away from doing his part, often times doing way more than he should just because he's that committed and that strong. He's an exciting, unorthodox, balls-to-the-wall racer, which means that when he wins, he wins deservedly so.

No reason to dislike him as a racer, no reason to hate him as a person. So surely, these people are Belgian. There's no other explanation for this blind dislike. Pathetic really.

You don't have to take me seriously, and neither does anyone else. I don't take you seriously. I don't take any of this too seriously. I don't hate him, and I am not Belgian, though I do try to ride in the rain and snow in hopes that I will one day be given a Belgian passport. I think maybe it's the orange Lambo, $300,000 watch wearing thing that is distasteful to me. I will freely admit that I find ostentatious displays of wealth to be off putting. Maybe that's petty...but being a little petty isn't really destroying my life.

Sh!t, I didn't like Pog until recently. I have always cheered for the underdog, so it's rare for me to find a reason to like someone like Pog, but I now do for my own reasons. It doesn't have to be logical to anyone else, nor even to me. I like what I like, and dislike what I dislike, and if I need to find justifications, it should only be to myself, because as Warren Zevon said "When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen." You do you, and I'll do me. I'm certainly not telling you to not like him.

 

[Rou]

that is a good point. OTOH look how durable he is now when Pogacar went all out again and again trying to nuke him uphill and he still had room to spare to do his own attack at the top of Poggio. I think he figured out more how to race against Pogacar and will apply that to Oude Kwaremont.

MVDP looks in career shape right now. But don't underestimate the draft on Cipressa. Pogacar did way more power than him there. There won't be such draft on Kwaremont and Paterberg which means bad news for Mathieu.

 

[Berniece]

MVDP looks in career shape right now. But don't underestimate the draft on Cipressa. Pogacar did way more power than him there. There won't be such draft on Kwaremont and Paterberg which means bad news for Mathieu.

Wasn't there also wind from behind on both climbs?

 

[Extinction]

that is a good point. OTOH look how durable he is now when Pogacar went all out again and again trying to nuke him uphill and he still had room to spare to do his own attack at the top of Poggio. I think he figured out more how to race against Pogacar and will apply that to Oude Kwaremont.

Right because he had the strength to stay on terms. When anybody, even Pog, needs to repeatedly attack to shake a rider, but doesn't, he becomes in the weaker position (even being the strongest). On a climb like that he's got two bullets, because a third and fourth yield diminishing returns in power output. It's physiology. So you can only say chapeaux to MVDP (and Ganna !, with that guy's frame it's a miracle he managed to almost hang on and still come back).

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Right because he had the strength to stay on terms. When anybody, even Pog, needs to repeatedly attack to shake a rider, but doesn't, he becomes in the weaker position (even being the strongest). On a climb like that he's got two bullets, because a third and fourth yield diminishing returns in power output. It's physiology. So you can only say chapeaux to MVDP (and Ganna !, with that guy's frame it's a miracle he managed to almost hang on and still come back).

yeah I agree Ganna was mind-blowing. What a legend!

 

[James M]

Awesome race MvdP. Pog seems stronger than ever but this terrain its hard vs argueably one of the best classics rider of all time(his win rate vs starts are impaccable)

MvdP is a freak in these gradients/ efforts and generational talent and already among cycling pantheons. Great win, deserved and this was a awesome race. Thank you Pog , Ganna and Mvdp for the show.

GUYS THIS is what I mean where lucky to witness -- this is pure greatness personified. Epic stuff.

 

[Rou]

Wasn't there also wind from behind on both climbs?

As I said MVDP looks in career shape. For me he is stronger than last year and 2023. His climbing performance on Cipressa is the best of his career. The same goes for Pippo Ganna.

 

[jono]

But...two years ago Matthieu dropped Pog at the top of the Poggio and then Pogi went on to dominate him at RVV.

Pogacar should be favoured in Flanders, but I think the gap in level is smaller than it was in 2023.

 

[Rou]

Pogacar should be favoured in Flanders, but I think the gap in level is smaller than it was in 2023.

The gap will be bigger than 2023 in favor of Pog. Let's wait and see.

 

[Rou]

But today once again proves for me that Pog does not stand a chance against MVDP im Roubaix. I think Mathieu can destroy him there as well.

 

[theyoungest]

I just don't like the guy. Why on earth does that bother you so much? He's been miles better than Wout...I'm not Wout, and whether Wout wins or not doesn't really affect my life in any way. Me not liking Mathieu appears to affect your life much more that Wout affects mine.

It doesn't bother me at all. I'm not the one with an obsession. If VDP wins or loses, it doesn't change my mood in any way. Now for you on the other hand...

I just find it such a strange negative obsession. That's why I ask. For some riders I can understand why people wouldn't like them. But VDP... just an all around nice guy, with a nice racing attitude. Always attractive. What's not to like?

 

[Spine Concept]

You don't have to take me seriously, and neither does anyone else. I don't take you seriously. I don't take any of this too seriously. I don't hate him, and I am not Belgian, though I do try to ride in the rain and snow in hopes that I will one day be given a Belgian passport. I think maybe it's the orange Lambo, $300,000 watch wearing thing that is distasteful to me. I will freely admit that I find ostentatious displays of wealth to be off putting. Maybe that's petty...but being a little petty isn't really destroying my life.

You sure seem to take it seriously, considering how often you make it known, directly or indirectly, how much you don’t like him or how much you don’t want him to win whenever he’s in contention.

And honestly, your reasons for disliking him are an even worse look than just saying “I don’t vibe with the guy.” The watch? It’s part of a sponsorship deal so of course he’s going to wear it. The car? He’s a guy who lives for speed in everything he does, both on and off the bike. It fits his personality. Not liking someone because they enjoy fast cars or wear a luxury watch feels like a reach, especially when that person has consistently shown himself to be a hard-working, exciting, and gracious competitor.

We live in an era where we see more of athletes’ personal lives than ever before, but that doesn’t mean we need to fixate on that stuff. You can always choose to focus on the racer. What he does on the road and how he carries himself professionally.

Also, just out of curiosity, do you dislike Boonen too for being into fast cars and owning several of them? And I’d honestly be surprised if Pog didn’t have a garage full of high-end stuff himself. These guys earn millions; it comes with the territory. Why is it only a problem when it’s Mathieu? SMH

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

But...two years ago Matthieu dropped Pog at the top of the Poggio and then Pogi went on to dominate him at RVV.

yet. This VDP is stronger than the VDP that won MSR solo. 100% . He was already stronger in 2024 than 2023. He's stronger yet again.

I'm not saying its impossible for Pogi, he's done it before. But I think he will have to be 110% if he wants to drop VDP in flanders again

 

[Spine Concept]

It doesn't bother me at all. I'm not the one with an obsession. If VDP wins or loses, it doesn't change my mood in any way. Now for you on the other hand...

I just find it such a strange negative obsession. That's why I ask. For some riders I can understand why people wouldn't like them. But VDP... just an all around nice guy, with a nice racing attitude. Always attractive. What's not to like?

My point exactly.

 

[Extinction]

Pogacar should be favoured in Flanders, but I think the gap in level is smaller than it was in 2023.

Well in 2023, MVDP countered him and went over the Poggio alone, this year after all Pog's attacks, he countered but could not go on to solo for the win. Doubtless MVDP's level is super high, but I wonder if the gap actually is smaller as you say. You know it's interesting, because Pog has shown the same level as last year, but is really going all-in for the classics, before his usual build-up to the Tour. One wonders if this will hinder his Tour preparation and what consequences it may have.

 

[Peyroteo94]

yet. This VDP is stronger than the VDP that won MSR solo. 100% . He was already stronger in 2024 than 2023. He's stronger yet again.

I'm not saying its impossible for Pogi, he's done it before. But I think he will have to be 110% if he wants to drop VDP in flanders again

Pogi is also a lot better

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Pogi is also a lot better

im just saying, al lot of the pogi fans seem so certain. Disregard VDP at your own peril. VDP thrives on challenges like these.

VDP got his ass handed to him by WVA in cyclocross worlds a couple of times as well. By the same logic as you Pogi fans he would be clapped everytime the years after
But he came back and got stronger everytime, until it was no more rivalry anymore

 

[Unchained]

These Mathieu detractors are hilarious. There's obviously no objective reason for not liking Mathieu when the only reason they can muster up is "I just don't like the guy". How can anyone take these guys seriously.

Mathieu is an exemplary champion that youngins can look up to and model after. Gracious in victory and in defeat. A true racer that makes any race instantly more attractive when he's on the startlist. Always willing to go on the attack and break things up when least expected. When he does force a break he never shies away from doing his part, often times doing way more than he should just because he's that committed and that strong. He's an exciting, unorthodox, balls-to-the-wall racer, which means that when he wins, he wins deservedly so.

No reason to dislike him as a racer, no reason to hate him as a person. So surely, these people are Belgian. There's no other explanation for this blind dislike. Pathetic really.

This guy has history, talent, tact and grace. He rides positive almost always, always working, attacking alone and with anyone who can contribute. His humility is extraordinary, he is quick to give compliments, always appears to have things in perspective. Does it hurt that his immediate reactions are typically to thank his family and teammates, reluctant to take high praise. Did I mention he is strong, good looking and an intelligent racer..a multiple discipline champion. And funny that his easy going demeanor comes off the same in multiple languages.. In different continents.. If you were to design the perfect bike racer in a laboratory.. He is it!! Congratulations!!

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

You sure seem to take it seriously, considering how often you make it known, directly or indirectly, how much you don’t like him or how much you don’t want him to win whenever he’s in contention.

And honestly, your reasons for disliking him are an even worse look than just saying “I don’t vibe with the guy.” The watch? It’s part of a sponsorship deal so of course he’s going to wear it. The car? He’s a guy who lives for speed in everything he does, both on and off the bike. It fits his personality. Not liking someone because they enjoy fast cars or wear a luxury watch feels like a reach, especially when that person has consistently shown himself to be a hard-working, exciting, and gracious competitor.

We live in an era where we see more of athletes’ personal lives than ever before, but that doesn’t mean we need to fixate on that stuff. You can always choose to focus on the racer. What he does on the road and how he carries himself professionally.

Also, just out of curiosity, do you dislike Boonen too for being into fast cars and owning several of them? And I’d honestly be surprised if Pog didn’t have a garage full of high-end stuff himself. These guys earn millions; it comes with the territory. Why is it only a problem when it’s Mathieu? SMH

Have a great day, man.

 

[Extinction]

yet. This VDP is stronger than the VDP that won MSR solo. 100% . He was already stronger in 2024 than 2023. He's stronger yet again.

I'm not saying its impossible for Pogi, he's done it before. But I think he will have to be 110% if he wants to drop VDP in flanders again

Pog did no PN or TA, which didn't seem to effect him, but maybe he would have been even stronger had he done one of those stage races before. It's all about not over extending himself in light of the Tour, but I'm wondering if so much emphasis on the classics, without PN or TA, could be detrimental, whereas no Catalunya or VP and only DL could be less optimal for the Tour. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[Spine Concept]

This guy has history, talent, tact and grace. He rides positive almost always, always working, attacking alone and with anyone who can contribute. His humility is extraordinary, he is quick to give compliments, always appears to have things in perspective. Does it hurt that his immediate reactions are typically to thank his family and teammates, reluctant to take high praise. Did I mention he is strong, good looking and an intelligent racer..a multiple discipline champion. And funny that his easy going demeanor comes off the same in multiple languages.. In different continents.. If you were to design the perfect bike racer in a laboratory.. He is it!! Congratulations!!

Here here! Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[Spine Concept]

Have a great day, man.

I'm having a fantastic day, you should try it, instead of doing all this extra stuff in regards to a consummate champion. Get a grip my guy, and enjoy Mathieu now that he's still racing. It'll be a sad day for true cycling enthusiasts when he retires.

 

[Extinction]

This guy has history, talent, tact and grace. He rides positive almost always, always working, attacking alone and with anyone who can contribute. His humility is extraordinary, he is quick to give compliments, always appears to have things in perspective. Does it hurt that his immediate reactions are typically to thank his family and teammates, reluctant to take high praise. Did I mention he is strong, good looking and an intelligent racer..a multiple discipline champion. And funny that his easy going demeanor comes off the same in multiple languages.. In different continents.. If you were to design the perfect bike racer in a laboratory.. He is it!! Congratulations!!

Except in Australian hotels, evidently. Just sayin. I like him though.

 

[Spine Concept]

Except in Australian hotels, evidently. Just sayin. I like him though.

I know you’re being tongue-in-cheek here, but let’s be real, he’s human, not perfect. I’ve been in a similar situation and was just as pissed, with the massive difference being that I didn’t have to get up early the next morning for one of the biggest races of the year, where I was not only a top favorite but also had been building toward it all season. The guy needed every bit of rest he could get. Anyone judging him over that incident is either being disingenuous or a hypocrite.

 

[Extinction]

I know you’re being tongue-in-cheek here, but let’s be real, he’s human, not perfect. I’ve been in a similar situation and was just as pissed, with the massive difference being that I didn’t have to get up early the next morning for one of the biggest races of the year, where I was not only a top favorite but also had been building toward it all season. The guy needed every bit of rest he could get. Anyone judging him over that incident is either being disingenuous or a hypocrite.

I just wanted to point out that none are angels. Put them under enough pressure and they will go from Dr. Jekel to Mr. Hyde. Of course, the little brat doubtless deserved it.