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

[Berniece]

This a load week for him, it's esssentially training. He will de load a bit towards MSR and then increase the load again afterwards, continuing to train through races like E3 and GW (depending on schedule) and then peak specifically for Flander and Roubaix. He's been doing this for some time now and one might say it seems to be working.

If the weather is bad, I would just skip E3 or GW

 

[Didinho]

If the weather is bad, I would just skip E3 or GW

Or don’t ride more than an hour with his summer outfit in the E3 rain again. Sometimes I just want him to skip those races, more risk before his goals. But you want to see all the big names at the start also.

 

[jono]

His snap-closing of Del Toro at the top of the final climb was probably as important a signal for his spring as the monstrous sprint for the win.

 

[Monsi]

His snap-closing of Del Toro at the top of the final climb was probably as important a signal for his spring as the monstrous sprint for the win.

MVDP's always had that explosiveness though. I don't think it was a surprise. It would be different if let's say, Del Toro attacked with like 1 km to the top, MVDP snap closes him, and then holds the wheel to the top while Del Toro is going all out.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

He looks in the form of his life. Hard to see anyone beating him at MSR or PR.

Ironically Pog actually helps him in these races - burning off anyone who might be a threat in a sprint.

It's true. UAE and Pog pace can eliminate some fast guys while MVP is obviously the fastest of small group of Pogis and Gannas of this world.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

A lot of time between today and PR. Hope he isn't in form too soon, or if he's unlucky like last year at Flanders where he gets ill beforehand.

Why so worried about Roubaix now? It's MSR time and MVP is looking great.
As for PR I think it's more likely Pogacar will win there at some point than at MSR (which could bite him in *** for his whole career, due to MVP but also other guys in the future).

 

[Berniece]

Why so worried about Roubaix now? It's MSR time and MVP is looking great.
As for PR I think it's more likely Pogacar will win there at some point than at MSR (which could bite him in *** for his whole career, due to MVP but also other guys in the future).

Because I want MVDP to be able to challenge Pogacar from MSR to PR. I honestly which there were more riders that could challenge the both of them, but that's unfortunately not possible at the moment.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Because I want MVDP to be able to challenge Pogacar from MSR to PR. I honestly which there were more riders that could challenge the both of them, but that's unfortunately not possible at the moment.

You mean able to win, right? MVP is more than a challenge: he's basically blocking Pogacar from the monuments slam. I would say in MSR and Roubaix it's Pogacar who's challenging MVP (not the other way around).

 

[Red Rick]

Needs to not get sick for RvV and or crash again.

 

[Berniece]

You mean able to win, right? MVP is more than a challenge: he's basically blocking Pogacar from the monuments slam. I would say in MSR and Roubaix it's Pogacar who's challenging MVP (not the other way around).

Yeah win, I prefer to see multiple different riders win big races instead of 1 guy

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Yeah win, I prefer to see multiple different riders win big races instead of 1 guy

I would say Pog winning MSR or Roubaix (while losing the other two monuments to MVP) would be a big success for the Slovenian as he ticks one more monument. Pog winning all 3 is mega unlikely.

 

[jono]

I would say Pog winning MSR or Roubaix (while losing the other two monuments to MVP) would be a big success for the Slovenian as he ticks one more monument. Pog winning all 3 is mega unlikely.

Losing Flanders would be a blow, no? The one race he absolutely should win?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Losing Flanders would be a blow, no? The one race he absolutely should win?

Flandres win matters less in historical context now (PR and MSR are holes in his resume). I wouldn't be so cocky and say he should win: it's also possible that MVP hangs on (like in 2022) and bad things happen to Pogi when he sprints vs MVP! Make no mistake, MVP is a huge rival in Flandres and he's flying (and Pog absolutely must drop him to win, not the other way around).

 

[jmdirt]

MvdP!

 

[HashRouge]

I would say Pog winning MSR or Roubaix (while losing the other two monuments to MVP) would be a big success for the Slovenian as he ticks one more monument. Pog winning all 3 is mega unlikely.

I honestly think he never wins MSR. I just don't see how he does it. The gradients just aren't enough for him to drop everyone who could out-sprint him.

 

[jono]

I'm always curious about the choices riders make when they have no chance to win the stage. MVDP obviously could have knocked it off much earlier and rolled in with the Van Aert group, but instead put in a decent shift to stay with the leaders as long as he did.

Is he just following a training plan on these "off" days?

 

[jmdirt]

Is he just following a training plan on these "off" days?

That is my assumption.

 

[Balthazar]

Mathieu might have taken another step, climbing very well. Climb was 3 km longer and a bit steeper than the Cipressa. He won every race he tried to win so far. Looks incredibly relaxed.

I'm calling it: Treble incoming

 

[LookProGoSlow]

Mathieu might have taken another step, climbing very well. Climb was 3 km longer and a bit steeper than the Cipressa. He won every race he tried to win so far. Looks incredibly relaxed.

I'm calling it: Treble incoming

doubling down on that with you. His form and level is +1 compared to 2025 and that was a strong year already.

Edit: moped mode engaged

 

[jmdirt]

Another solid training/testing day for MvdP!

 

[jono]

Mathieu might have taken another step, climbing very well. Climb was 3 km longer and a bit steeper than the Cipressa. He won every race he tried to win so far. Looks incredibly relaxed.

I'm calling it: Treble incoming

I'm not ready to call for the treble given many more riders could be in the running in Sanremo if race dynamics are different and Flanders will always be advantage Pogacar with the placement of the final Kwaremont. Roubaix seems the most certain, which is crazy given the randomness that applies in that race.

But if he's healthy in Flanders and doesn't race much closer to Pog than last year I would consider that a disappointment.

 

[Oldman]

His snap-closing of Del Toro at the top of the final climb was probably as important a signal for his spring as the monstrous sprint for the win.

I think Chris Horner criticized this move because it gapped his sprinter. Then; didn't lead out in a chaotic finish.
Wout is his pick for MSR so MvP should probably just move on to training strictly for PR. Chris knows (fill in you own blank!)

 

[Krzysztof_O]

We already suspected it after the CX season but TA confirmed his great form. He's ready for his beloved 3 monuments and we should have some great battles of apex predators (vs Pogacar). Obviously MVP is #1 favorite for MSR and Roubaix and Pogacar's task of completing the set is looking very very hard.

 

[Berniece]

We already suspected it after the CX season but TA confirmed his great form. He's ready for his beloved 3 monuments and we should have some great battles of apex predators (vs Pogacar). Obviously MVP is #1 favorite for MSR and Roubaix and Pogacar's task of completing the set is looking very very hard.

His form is looking really really good. Dutch speaking riders that were interviewed after TA said he's flying

 

[canina82]

He is flying specially on the hills. I still think he will not win MSR due to tactics but I don't expect Pogacar to win too