Grinta, passion and determination turned into perfection! 🥇 🌈 WORLD CHAMPION! 🌈 @mathieuvdpoel x @CyclingWorlds #GlasgowScotland2023 #MVDP #AlpecinDeceuninck
Cycling is "much more difficult than in my period" says Adrie van der Poel, following Mathieu's World Championships win
CyclingMonday, 07 August 2023 at 13:38
It is traditionally said that decades ago cycling used to be harder than current times, however Adrie van der Poel himself, a star in the 90's disagrees completely. After seeing his son Mathieu take the win on the Glasgow World Championships and the work that has gone into it, he believes current cycling is a notch above.
"I have been watching with great amazement what the riders have presented to us. I'm not in favor of this kind of course, but it was spectacular," Adrie van der Poel said in an interview with Sporza following the race. "And the best riders, who were mentioned the most, were at the front."
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A key part of the Dutch entourage both on the road and cyclocross, van der Poel senior is not only an adviser but also a regular commentator on the current affairs of cycling. After seeing the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider conquer multiple world titles in cyclocross - many of which against Wout van Aert, yesterday he was able to see the same one-two but this time on the road.
"Mathieu knows what he wants, ever since he was little. He's getting older and wiser, he knows his strengths and weaknesses inside out," he says. This comes after a season where he has won Paris-Roubaix, and at the Tour de France whilst he didn't take any individual success, he was key part of the team's overall incredible Tour. A victory based on offensive racing, van der Poel rode to his maiden world title and will now get to spend 12 months with the rainbow jersey - and is currently both World Champion on the road and cyclocross.
"I am very proud of the athletes who are now riding around. Everyone expects them to be on the appointment every time. That is why I would also be proud if Mathieu did not win today. Because he was in the front, it had been written about for weeks," he continues, before stating that the demands of current pro cycling are quite superior to that which was the case 30 years ago.
"I never said that cycling is an easy sport, but it is much, much more difficult than in my period. All those guys make so many sacrifices... And on social media everyone has their say and everyone has an opinion. I'm glad I don't ride anymore, with all the social media and bullshit surrounding it," he concluded.
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