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

[Axel Hangleck]

I just think it is funny when that lots of bike racing fans don't realize how good MVDP is and are surprised when Pogi gets beat by the other freak of nature in cycling today. Seems like lots of folks on this site only watch the watch the TDF or something.

It's not just fans - a lot of the media are the same. Yes Pogi is a generational talent - but so is MvdP - and while GTs are never going to be his thing, I think people forget he's the current (and 7 times) CX World champion, the current Gravel World champion, has been European XCO Champion. And is not without a chance of winning an XCC/XCO World title.....and still has the most XCC World Cup wins, despite not racing in one since May 2021.

 

[Ripper]

Ridiculously fun finale to watch in MSR! Matthieu riding a really smart and strong race, and really had everyone's number on the Poggio.

Ganna was something else clawing back time and again though.

great race

 

[senna6541]

Interesting that Pogi is dropping E3 and GW to go "all in" on RVV and PR. Funny that he's the one guy (not the fans, not the media) that truly understands what he is up against versus a 100% healthy, on-form MVDP. Let's hope they both make it to those races ready to go. Will be interesting to see if Wout can give MVDP a good battle this Friday. Would be good to see him back in the mix.

 

[Berniece]

Will be interesting to see if Wout can give MVDP a good battle this Friday. Would be good to see him back in the mix.

Doubt it'll be a good battle. I do expect him in De Ronde and Roubaix, but last year he wasn't good in his first race after altitude. Which happens more often than not for some riders.

 

[kingjr]

Doubt it'll be a good battle. I do expect him in De Ronde and Roubaix, but last year he wasn't good in his first race after altitude. Which happens more often than not for some riders.

I'm still not sure how last year’s E3 ends if he doesn't crash.

 

[James M]

I used to love Boonen and Contador—both exceptionally talented, to the point of being very rare talents. They also rode with panache and were extremely aggressive in big races.

To me, MvdP is just Boonen on steroids. I'm looking forward to another stellar performance from this freak of nature. By his own words, he's better than ever, and that says something. This guy's peak performances are among the highest we've seen. Im expecting a show.

 

[Didinho]

Another impressive solo done. Now he just needs to hang on on the Kwaremont and don't waste too much energy to hold of others. Just focus to be as fresh as possible on the last ascent. Form is good, hope he can win against Pogi mano a mano next week.

 

[Froome]

What a monster.

Unless he is got some bad luck, i think he will be unbeatable on PR and Flandres.

 

[Didinho]

Would be insane if he can one up his best classics campaign with the triple.

 

[jmdirt]

Dominant!

Several teams tried to take advantage of an early race situation, and the phrase "F around and find out" comes to mind.

Strange that he won since according to some he can't win without TP in the race!

 

[Red Rick]

I used to love Boonen and Contador—both exceptionally talented, to the point of being very rare talents. They also rode with panache and were extremely aggressive in big races.

To me, MvdP is just Boonen on steroids. I'm looking forward to another stellar performance from this freak of nature. By his own words, he's better than ever, and that says something. This guy's peak performances are among the highest we've seen. Im expecting a show.

Boonen wasn't remotely similar. He was much, much weaker on even short hills and he would be relegated to only competing for Roubaix in the modern day.

 

[Monsi]

Dominant!

Several teams tried to take advantage of an early race situation, and the phrase "F around and find out" comes to mind.

Strange that he won since according to some he can't win without TP in the race!

Huh? He was literally the big favorite before the race. Some people only said it was gonna be somewhat more difficult without Pogi because the onus to chase attacks is gonna fall on Alpecin only and their team in the race was kinda meh. I didn't see anything about people saying that he isn't gonna win without Pogi in the race.

 

[tobydawq]

He must be fuming that the next five World Championships are designed for him - the guy who should be perfect for an average WCRR route - to not have much of a chance.

 

[Berniece]

What a monster.

Unless he is got some bad luck, i think he will be unbeatable on PR and Flandres.

Think so too, was looking amazing today and the race wasn’t even that hard.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Another impressive solo done. Now he just needs to hang on on the Kwaremont and don't waste too much energy to hold of others. Just focus to be as fresh as possible on the last ascent. Form is good, hope he can win against Pogi mano a mano next week.

Exactly. Let Pogo do all the work as everyone is regarding him as the out and out favourite. I believe if Matthieu plays his cards well he can smoke teddy (at the latest in the sprint).

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

He must be fuming that the next five World Championships are designed for him - the guy who should be perfect for an average WCRR route - to not have much of a chance.

not at all, makes it easier for him to just go for the World MTB. The missing piece in his trophy case

 

[tobydawq]

not at all, makes it easier for him to just go for the World MTB. The missing piece in his trophy case

Pff, thanks for reminding me why I'm not a whole-hearted fan (apart from his tendency to ruin suspense).

 

[Kwaremonster]

What a monster.

Unless he is got some bad luck, i think he will be unbeatable on PR and Flandres.

If by unbeatable you mean hanging on to pogacar for dear life on the Oude Kwaremont and hope for the best, than I agree with you.

His cards for PR (bad luck notwithstanding) seem very good tho although I still hope that we finally get to see the battle to the finishline with WVA that was promised to us in 2023. Wout needs to overcome his fears though..

also with Paris Roubaix there is Philipsen again who was riding good on cobbles earlier and there's is the risk that, unless MvdP attacks from far out, he becomes a victim of teamtactics like in MSR.

 

[Froome]

If by unbeatable you mean hanging on to pogacar for dear life on the Oude Kwaremont and hope for the best, than I agree with you.

His cards for PR (bad luck notwithstanding) seem very good tho although I still hope that we finally get to see the battle to the finishline with WVA that was promised to us in 2023. Wout needs to overcome his fears though..

also with Paris Roubaix there is Philipsen again who was riding good on cobbles earlier and there's is the risk that, unless MvdP attacks from far out, he becomes a victim of teamtactics like in MSR.

He will not get dropped by pogacar in Flandres if he doesn't spend unnecessary energy during the race.

 

[Gratemans]

Sounds like pre-emptive copium to me. When it's Pog vs Mathieu, I'll always be rooting for Mathieu but if you think he's 'unbeatable' in RVV... I don't know what to say.

 

[Blanco]

Sounds like pre-emptive copium to me. When it's Pog vs Mathieu, I'll always be rooting for Mathieu but if you think he's 'unbeatable' in RVV... I don't know what to say.

Let me say like this, he's not unbeatable in RVV, but he's not going to be beaten.

 

[JoãoRamos]

He will not get dropped by pogacar in Flandres if he doesn't spend unnecessary energy during the race.

Yes, he will.

 

[Gratemans]

Let me say like this, he's not unbeatable in RVV, but he's not going to be beaten.

Well that's an entirely different point of view, a valid one at least. Not that I agree: I still think Pog in his current form will beat him in RVV.
But I'm pretty convinced he won't be beat by Pog at PR. Ever, actually.*


*unless he also gets a lifetime contract an keeps racing untill he's 45

 

[JoãoRamos]

Well that's an entirely different point of view, a valid one at least. Not that I agree: I still think Pog in his current form will beat him in RVV.
But I'm pretty convinced he won't be beat by Pog at PR. Ever, actually.

A puncture, an accident, everything can happen. You need to race in order to win.

Nobody thought Pog could win RVV in 2023.

 

[Gratemans]

Oh for sure, but I'm talking about when both make it to the finish line without any major mishaps.