"ASO has added more stages with a profile for cyclists like Mathieu" - Van der Poel set for a more impactful Tour de France in 2025?

Mathieu van der Poel has done a hell of a lot over the course of his glistening career so far. Since 2021 though the Dutchman has been unable to add a stage victory at the Tour de France. Could that run change in 2025?

It must be said, that over the last couple of Tour de France editions, Van der Poel has been used primarily by Alpecin-Deceuninck as a super leadout man for Jasper Philipsen, helping to bring much success to the Belgian sprinter. Given Van der Poel is likely to go down as one of the riders of his generation though, the lack of individual success at the Tour de France, other than that one stage in 2021, is a curious anomaly in the Dutch superstar's career.

In 2025 though, Van der Poel looks set for another Tour de France campaign if Alpecin-Deceuninck boss Christoph Roodhooft's recent comments are to be believed, and this time, we could see some trademark Van der Poel magic. "He's a professional cyclist of course," Roodhooft hints towards a participation in the Tour in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. "ASO, in all its expertise, listens and has added more rides with a profile for cyclists like Mathieu, Wout van Aert or Mads Pedersen."

Before the attention turns to the road in 2025 though, Van der Poel kicks off his cyclocross winter this Sunday afternoon in Zonhoven. "He has already done a nice block of endurance training," the Roodhooft brothers assess. "I deliberately do not express any expectations. If I say that it will be difficult and Mathieu rides away from everyone solo, then that is lame. If I say that I expect him to ride away from everyone solo, then I am putting pressure. I do not want either one. One thing is certain: Mathieu would not race if he was not ready to race."