"It doesn't get any bigger" - Big praise for Roodhooft brothers as Alpecin-Deceuninck secure long-term future of Mathieu van der Poel

After the news yesterday that Mathieu van der Poel had extended his Alpecin-Deceuninck contract until 2028, there has been some big praise incoming for the team's bosses, Philip and Christoph Roodhooft.

"A contract extension of a world champion for five years remains a milestone even for them. This is for the management of a team what winning a Monument is for a rider: it doesn't get any bigger," writes Het Nieuwsblad's Wim Vos. "Not just for sporting reasons. Of course, Van der Poel, 29 today, will be a guarantee of victories for years to come. But this contract extension also provides a form of stability that many teams will envy. "

Securing the services of one of the biggest names in the sport for most likely the remainder of his career will ensure the sponsorship opportunities keep coming Alpecin-Deceuninck's way Vos believes. "New sponsors, every commercial partner, even current and future riders: they all now know that they can count on the best one-day rider in 2024 for at least another five years," he explains. "In uncertain cycling times – and are there ever any others? – this is worth its weight in gold."

"With his signature, Mathieu Van der Poel in turn says thank you," Vos continues. "Van der Poel also knows that he is a rider with a manual. One who likes to combine cross, mountain bike and road, preferably all in his own way and at his pace, with the necessary freedom. This has been a difficult balancing act for years. When are you going to let him drive something? How do you divide his year? How do you ensure the greatest chance of success in the midst of all this hustle and bustle? They have always found exactly those answers. Van der Poel only has to look at his record and knows: no one understands his manual better than the Roodhooft brothers."