Van der Poel has performed well in time trials over the past, but his ability continues to surprise, as it is very far from his priority. But cyclocross legend Sven Nys argues that behind the scenes, the classics specialist has indeed been training a lot on the bike.
“He has worked very hard in silence, focusing mainly on functioning well in that position,” Nys said in an interview with Sporza. “Everyone knows that Mathieu can ride fast. But if you want to do that in a time trial, you really have to spend hours and hours on it, in that position. Apparently, he did that, and it paid off.”
This could be because of the upcoming Tour de France, which begins with a team time trial in Barcelona. The hilly finale will suit him, and in the following days there will be other hilly stages. Obtaining a yellow jersey is possible, but only if the Dutchman is able to really cut his losses on the opening day.
The Belgian manager believes that Alpecin has a specific goal in the opening stages, as happened 12 months ago. “His team will certainly have the ambition to score very quickly, possibly with a Jasper Philipsen or Mathieu van der Poel himself.”
Philipsen and van der Poel won the first two stages at last year’s Tour and both wore the yellow jersey. Whilst it is impossible this time around to repeat the feat, it does not hamper what the Belgian team can do.
After winning the Baloise Belgium Tour, the sprinter has shown terrific form just at the right time. “Philipsen is fast, of course, but we get the best Philipsen when the race is made hard and there are some climbs involved.”
“It is nice to see that all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in that final phase,” Nys believes.