"He might start very early" - Is Mathieu van der Poel planning a solo attack at E3 Saxo Classic?
Cycling
After a stunning victory at Milano-Sanremo, Mathieu van der
Poel returns to the cobbles today, looking to pick up where he left off last
spring. In 2023, he was simply untouchable during the classics, sweeping E3
Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix in a campaign that will
be remembered for decades. As he lines up again at E3, the question is clear:
can he repeat the feat?
One of the people closest to him, his teammate Xandro
Meurisse, offered some insight in an interview with L’Équipe. While the
team remains flexible in its approach, there’s no question about who leads the
charge.
"Mathieu is our plan A, but in general we have a strong
team," Meurisse says. "And then we haven't even talked about what our
opponents, such as Wout van Aert, will do."
Van Aert looms large as always, a former winner of all three
cobbled monuments himself. Yet, when it comes to van der Poel, unpredictability
is one of his most dangerous weapons.
"He will of course try to win, but with him you never
know how: he might start very early," Meurisse laughs. "Given the
form he showed in Sanremo, he can put in a great performance."
Indeed, van der Poel’s victory at La Primavera was arguably
his most impressive yet. Against Tadej Pogacar and Filippo Ganna, he proved he
could not only survive the Poggio – he could win from it. That performance only
bolstered Meurisse’s admiration.
"He doesn't look at who's at the start of the race, he
concentrates on himself. He has nothing left to prove if you look at his track
record."
While Van der Poel’s form is well-established, it is
Pogacar’s looming debut at Paris-Roubaix that adds another layer of intrigue.
Meurisse has taken note of the Slovenian’s reconnaissance rides in Northern
France, and what they signify.
"It wasn't just for fun or to test the equipment,
otherwise the staff would have sent a rider who lives nearby, not in Monaco.
There would have been no point in not taking part in the race after that."
As the cobbled classics unfold, these rivalries promise to
ignite once again. For now, Van der Poel seems to have the upper hand. But
Meurisse is well aware of the ever-present threat that Pogacar poses, even in
the hilly terrain of Milano-Sanremo, the Dutchman had to dig deeper than ever.
"Those guys are on another level, it's crazy how they
climbed the Cipressa and Poggio. Mathieu, who doesn't weigh as much as Pogacar,
managed to keep up with one of the best climbers in the world. He continues to
impress me, even after all the races he's won."
Still, Meurisse insists that the win last weekend has
brought van der Poel a sense of calm.
"His victory in Milan-Sanremo has given him peace, but
Pogacar remains the best for now. Mathieu already said it, he has to be 110% to
stay on Tadej's wheel."
That final sentiment reflects the difference between these
two unique riders, and why van der Poel thrives on the cobbles.
"But riding on the cobblestones of a one-day race to
win, or a grand tour to not lose time: that is different."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- Blah Blah Blah !frieders308-11-2026
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