"It will be my first time Champs-Elysées" - Mathieu van der Poel looking forward to racing on the iconic Parisian cobbles

For the first time in his career, Mathieu van der Poel will complete the Tour de France. Although he perhaps hasn't sparkled as many had expected, partially due to illness, the Dutchman is excited to race on the iconic Parisian cobbles of the Champs-Elysées for the very first time.

"We had a very good Tour with the team, of course, so it would be nice to have something nice to eat and drink together," recapped van der Poel, who has helped Alpecin-Deceuninck teammate Jasper Philipsen to glory in the Green Jersey competition, in conversation with NOS.

On his own battles with illness, van der Poel is delighted to reveal that he is now through the other side. “I got through it, actually. In recent days I slept a little better and I could also eat better, so I feel pretty okay now," the 28-year-old explains. "Saturday was one of my easier days, on a difficult course."

As mentioned, this is the first time van der Poel will have completed the Tour de France in his third participation. A special feeling for the Dutch superstar. "It will be my first time Champs-Elysées, so I have no idea how it will go. But it will be fun, also because we still have a goal with Jasper Philipsen," he concludes.