"He's going to try things, he's going to try to win the gravel stage" - Jose De Cauwer expects Mathieu van der Poel to be more active at 2024 Tour de France

At the 2023 Tour de France, Mathieu van der Poel was used primarily in a leadout role for his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate and eventual Green Jersey winner, Jasper Philipsen. This time around however, will the world champion may get more chances for himself?

According to Sporza's Belgian cycling expert, Jose De Cauwer, the 2024 Tour de France could be van der Poel's time to shine. "It will be the same, but he will now want to win a stage in the Tour. He's going to try things, he's going to try to win the gravel stage," De Cauwer says in conversation with Sporza Daily. "Although he's not going to mark a stage right away, because he's mainly going to see what happens. He probably hasn't read the roadbook from front to back yet. A Philipsen might have, but not Van der Poel."

The fact both Philipsen and van der Poel are together again in the Alpecin-Deceuninck lineup, will see the Dutchman again needed to show off his leadout expertise however, De Cauwer admits. "Van der Poel is also the reason why Philipsen stayed," ponders the experienced Belgian. "When you have someone who can give so much away. He is already busy with something else, because the Olympic Games. If possible, one or two stages, but otherwise mainly help."

Whilst the Tour de France is always a big deal, the main goal for van der Poel this year remains the Olympic Games in Paris later this summer. In the fight for the gold medal, De Cauwer believes van der Poel's old rival, Wout van Aert will again emerge as his greatest competitor. Of late though, the difference between the two in head to head battles has been stark, with De Cauwer noting the Glasgow World Championships as an example.

"Something happened there. Van der Poel rode everyone away and a light went on that he used the Tour as preparation. He was devastating. Believe me, that set something in motion for some," the Belgian concludes. "Van Aert can do a perfect job, but then he has to ignore those cols and allow himself to be ridden there within minutes. Don't first race 150 kilometres and then only let yourself fall back in the last 20 kilometres. It is up to Van Aert to decide."