“It will be difficult for anyone to follow” – Van der Poel cautions threat of Pogacar and Vingegaard on stage 11

Stage 11 of the Tour de France may appear ideal for a rider like Mathieu van der Poel, but the Dutchman isn’t entirely convinced it will play to his strengths, especially if the general classification battle lights up on the final climb.

After already taking a stage win and wearing yellow earlier in the race, Van der Poel enters the day with confidence but also realism. Speaking to Sporza before the start of the stage, he addressed the growing talk of whether his Alpecin-Deceuninck team can bring a breakaway under control.

"That's certainly possible, but it's questionable whether the group is controllable," he said. "After the rest day, many riders are often motivated to attack, and the breakaway could have a chance today. Ideally, we would be able to control a smaller breakaway."

The stage finishes in Toulouse, but not before the brutal Côte de Pech David, a sharp and punishing climb that could serve as a springboard for late attacks. Van der Poel knows what’s coming. “Yes, that climb is tough. We did a reconnaissance yesterday, and it's a bit like the first few weeks."

And if the GC riders make their move early on the climb, Van der Poel isn’t pretending he’ll be able to go with them. “If Tadej and Jonas attack from the foot, it will be very difficult for anyone to follow.”

There is still a chance, however, for regrouping on the flat that follows the summit. “After the summit, it's still flat for a while, and a group could return. That's also possible with Kaden Groves. There will be gaps, but they will be limited.”

As for positioning, Van der Poel knows the final approach will be a war of nerves and legs. “Outside the top 10 you're in trouble, but the whole peloton knows that. It's going to be a fight.”