Prior to the beginning of his 2024 road season at Milano-Sanremo on March 16th, Mathieu van der Poel has been reflecting on an immensely successful 2023.
Last year, the Dutchman became a dual-discipline world champion, taking the Rainbow Jersey both on the road and in cyclocross, with big victories also coming at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix. “Yeah, it was a really special season and it will be really difficult to do it the same or better... is impossible, I think," he reflects in conversation with the Eurosport Cycling Show.
"For sure, I'm aware of the fact that it was unique and it will maybe never happen again," van der Poel continues, before being asked if he has a favourite triumph from last year. “If I have to pick one. I think the World Championships in Glasgow is something I was always dreaming of, so it was maybe the nicest victory of last year.”
In 2024, the Olympic Games are on the calendar in Paris, giving van der Poel another big goal. "It's a bit of a strange year with the Olympics, which is also a goal for me. But yeah, mainly, the big races I target are the same as last year, and then I'll be at the Olympics," he says.
The fact he's no longer the only superstar within Alpecin-Deceuninck also takes pressure off van der Poel, something he is grateful for. “Actually, it's really nice to work for him (Jasper Philipsen ed.). He also appreciates and trusts the things I do for him, and I think we're a really good combination, so I kind of like to do it for him," van der Poel says of his teammate.
“We had a really good season - especially with Jasper in the Tour was also super successful. So I think we try to improve every year. We will do so next year, but it will be difficult for the team in general to do better than this year," the World Champion concludes.
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