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"Due to the accumulation of efforts, it will be very difficult in the end" - Mathieu van der Poel thinks World Championships course will be harder than expected
CyclingSunday, 06 August 2023 at 10:58
Mathieu van der Poel aims to go for the rainbow bands. The Glasgow circuit with it's many corners and punchy climbs will suit him, and ahead of the race the Dutchman has analysed what is to come this Sunday and his preparation.
“I have to say that I recognized a lot from the European Championship in 2018, even though that was a while ago. It seems like there are even more corners added on this lap," van der Poel said in an interview with Wielerflits. "It is almost riding from corner to corner. Whether it's too much? I think it's on the edge. Especially since we're driving that circle for a long time."
Whilst some have criticized the route because of it's extreme technical aspect, others have no problem with it. Such a circuit packed with dozens of accelerations could suit van der Poel, an off-road expert on his own. The explosiveness and endurance aspects will be crucial and van der Poel is a leading figure on both, alongside a very strong Dutch team this will see him as a big candidate for the win.
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"Due to the accumulation of efforts, it will be very difficult in the end. Positioning is crucial, everyone knows that," he believes. "Am I happy with it? We'll have to wait and see, but normally it should be something that suits me. It is important to ride at the front and cycle around as concentrated as possible.”
Behind him is the Tour de France, which was complicated for him dealing with illness for some days. Individually he has not reached success, but he played a crucial role in Alpecin-Deceuninck's victories and green jersey arriving in Paris. “I don't really know. I have never done a Grand Tour in preparation for a one-day race," he says, arriving in Glasgow a bit on the unknown.
"For me it is also a question of how good I will be on Sunday. It's not that I feel super tired, but to be honest I don't really feel like I'm any better because of the Tour than before. Of course I also look at my numbers. But it is difficult to estimate. I've done my blocks and I've tried to do the right incentives, but not too much. It's a bit difficult to balance that."
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