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.

 

[jmdirt]

I personally think he has missed his chance to win the mtb worlds. Just a feeling.

I disagree. If he focuses on dirt, he can still win (on the right course).

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

We could all say that...

 

[onefortheroad]

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.

The Tour is already more of a waste than a profit. It's a pity. He is going, perhaps, more due to all the pressure and what the Tour represents. Since he is going, I think he will try to start strong to win at least one of the early stages, as he might not even survive the mountains and eventually abandon (would be a disappointment, but hardly a surprise). I would love for him to prove me wrong, just to see him win on the Champs-Élysées.

 

[onefortheroad]

I disagree. If he focuses on dirt, he can still win (on the right course).


We could all say that...

For him or for all of us?! Or maybe both?!
MVDP back at 25 it’s pure nostalgia. With a longer horizon. Some legends just deserve more time.

 

[Gratemans]

For him or for all of us?! Or maybe both?!
MVDP back at 25 it’s pure nostalgia. With a longer horizon. Some legends just deserve more time.

Nah, nobody deserves more time. We've all been given the same window (more or less). Which is how it should be.
Mathieu won a couple of races, wore a yellow jersey and whatnot, but my window hassn't entirely closed yet..

 

[onefortheroad]

Nah, nobody deserves more time. We've all been given the same window (more or less). Which is how it should be.
Mathieu won a couple of races, wore a yellow jersey and whatnot, but my window hassn't entirely closed yet..

Oh, it’s just called being a fan. I was just being hyperbolic because I love watching MVDP ride. No stopwatch to a nostalgia party!

 

[jmdirt]

For him or for all of us?! Or maybe both?!
MVDP back at 25 it’s pure nostalgia. With a longer horizon. Some legends just deserve more time.

Yes to all of that!

 

[jmdirt]

We've all been given the same window (more or less).

Let me stumble off topic briefly... I was listening to an interview on my drive to work and the guest said: "I remember when I was 20 with the world to conquer, but now at 60 I only have 20 years left and no apatite to conquer." I almost teared up because that math is reality for me (I hope I have 20 left). I am however still battling a little.

Back on topic...GO MvdP!

 

[mikks]

maybe some contractual obligations or sponsorship clauses at play. TdF is such a huge deal that , I am guessing, both team and personal sponsors are pushing to get their superstars into the race

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I disagree. If he focuses on dirt, he can still win (on the right course).

I think that's the issue; I do think if he was fully committed, then he could, but doing the odd race a season isn't enough. More races, more points, better starting positions - it all adds up. Burning energy to get to the front takes its toll......
Les Gets showed a glimpse of what he can do, but he suffered from a low start position, and lost time on the descents - though got better as the race went on. By the last lap, he was cooked, and dropped a few positions.