"I choose Mathieu van der Poel" - Patrick Lefevere laments never having worked with Cyclocross World Champion

Patrick Lefevere was the manager of Soudal - Quick-Step for over two decades and throughout the years he managed some of the best classics riders in history. He had known Mathieu van der Poel from a very very young age and wanted to have partnered with the Dutchman, and he is the riders he laments the most not having been able to do so.

"What I liked about Dutchmen, and especially Niki, is that when he was angry during a race and he had taken a shower, he would say: 'Guys, sorry about that.' A Flemish person doesn't have that. He keeps it to himself and then it only comes out after three weeks," Lefevere told Wielerevue.

This very much comes as a hint for the next question which was to be which rider, from those he hadn't worked with, would he have wanted to do so. The answer is Paris-Roubaix, Tour of Flanders and Milano-Sanremo winner Mathieu van der Poel.

"Then I choose Mathieu van der Poel. His father Adrie [van der Poel] rode for my team for three years. Adrie sometimes rode around at Rabobank with VIP'S and we would sometimes run into each other. I always asked about David [van der Poel] and Mathieu," the Belgian recalls. "David started racing at a certain point, but Adrie said then 'the youngest is ten years old, but can already do everything with a bike. You'll hear more about him.'"

Sure enough that was to be the case, and Mathieu van der Poel would already show signs of greatness from a very young age. However, although scouting isn't as sharp as the current day, in the 2010's there were already many eyes on Mathieu van der Poel looking to secure him before he got any TV time.

"When he started racing, he already got material from the Roodhooft brothers (who currently manage the Alpecin-Deceuninck, ed.). He never left. Those riders are now also connected to a bike manufacturer (Canyon, ed.) through a contract".

Lefevere also provided some insight into what is a less usual business model in the sport, but one that gains more and more traction with some athletes. "At that team, the manufacturer pays the most, I think. They pay part of the contract of the riders. I find that annoying, because then they have too much power over the rider. On the other hand, it does help of course."