“Everyone knows how exceptional Tadej Pogacar is riding” – Mathieu van der Poel holds hands up after being dropped on the Poggio
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel arrives at the E3 Saxo Classic with two narratives following him from Milano-Sanremo: a lingering hand injury from his late crash, and the decisive moment on the Poggio where Tadej Pogacar rode clear. As the defending champion returns to Harelbeke, the Dutchman has addressed both, but without linking one to the other.
Speaking to Sporza ahead of the race, Van der Poel was clear in his assessment of the Poggio, where his bid for victory ended. “Nothing happened that I didn’t expect. Everyone knows how exceptional Tadej Pogacar is riding, and he proved that again.”
That framing places the focus firmly on Pogacar’s level rather than circumstance.
Van der Poel had already made the decisive move on the Cipressa to form the leading group, but when the race lifted again on the final climb, he was unable to respond.
Injury present, but not positioned as explanation
Attention has instead centred on the crash that came before that moment, and the hand injury that followed. It remains visible in his build-up to the E3 Saxo Classic, but not in the way it is being interpreted externally. “It’s a bit of an annoying injury, although that might be overstating it. It’s an awkward wound on my hand and nail. It’s not very pleasant to ride with, but it’s manageable.”
Rather than presenting it as a limiting factor, Van der Poel consistently reduces it to discomfort, even if it is not something that will disappear quickly. “To say I’m in pain would be too much. Again, it’s more uncomfortable and quite annoying, because it will take some time,” he explains. “There’s a gap in that nail, and it takes a while to close again, but I can ride with it. That’s the most important thing.”
The distinction is important. The injury exists and lingers into his return to racing, but his own explanation of Sanremo does not rest on it. The decisive separation came on the Poggio, and in his own words, it unfolded as expected.
That leaves a clear, if slightly uncomfortable, picture heading into Harelbeke. Van der Poel lines up for the E3 Saxo Classic as the standout favourite once again, doing so with a minor physical issue still present, but without any suggestion from the rider himself that it changes the hierarchy he encountered just days earlier.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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