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

[gavia88]

Stage 2, 3, 4, 9, 17 and 21 all look like decent stages for MVDP. Last year was an outlier, he will never see such a good week 1 route again, but this year definitely has options for a rider like him.

I have no clue where you see so many chances? Stage 2 is to difficult, stage 3 has more than 4000 meters of altitude, stage 4 is more a medium mountain stage with some "longer" climbs, than punchy hills, so also no. Stage 9 is a pure medium mountain stage, I don't see him survive there if stronger climbers are with him. Stage 17 is pure a sprint stage. Only stage 21 he has a big chance. But all depends on the racing, last year was extra difficult with the rain and the stage has been made a bit easier than last year. So, it will be more difficult to solo to the finish there. In a group he can still win, but there is always the risk of other fast people surviving in that case.

 

[onefortheroad]

Imagine if he could go back to being 25...

 

[Valv.Piti]

I have no clue where you see so many chances? Stage 2 is to difficult, stage 3 has more than 4000 meters of altitude, stage 4 is more a medium mountain stage with some "longer" climbs, than punchy hills, so also no. Stage 9 is a pure medium mountain stage, I don't see him survive there if stronger climbers are with him. Stage 17 is pure a sprint stage. Only stage 21 he has a big chance. But all depends on the racing, last year was extra difficult with the rain and the stage has been made a bit easier than last year. So, it will be more difficult to solo to the finish there. In a group he can still win, but there is always the risk of other fast people surviving in that case.

Thats why I said that he needs good climbing legs which he is capable of with good preparation and early on in the race. These early stages 2-4 are hard, but not impossible at all for a good Van der Poel. I guess stage 3 is too hard if ridden hard

 

[Gratemans]

Thats why I said that he needs good climbing legs which he is capable of with good preparation and early on in the race. These early stages 2-4 are hard, but not impossible at all for a good Van der Poel. I guess stage 3 is too hard if ridden hard

You'd have to replace his legs with those of Pog or Vingo then. Because Mathieu with his own good climbing legs won't cut it.
I agree with gavia88. Well, except for stage 2. He does have a chance there in my opinion.
Still, hardly enough to warrant participating in the Tour imo.
But I guess he can be really useful for Philipsen. I know that's not what we want to see, but that, combined with sponsors wanting him there is probably why he's going.

Also, I imagine he's kinda looking forward to battling it out with Wout on the final stage. Problem is he has to ride all 20 stages before that as well. I'm curious if he'll stick around for that.