No top result for us in de first stage of @LeTour. Mathieu didn't find his best legs today. But what an atmosphere in Bilbao. Already looking forward to tomorrow! #alpecindeceuninck 📸 Mr.Pinko
"It will probably be too difficult for me again" - Mathieu van der Poel not overly positive on chances of winning stage in Basque Country
CyclingSunday, 02 July 2023 at 13:00
Mathieu van der Poel had high hopes for the opening day of the Tour de France and that appeared clear as Alpecin-Deceuninck put on a chase throughout the day. Van der Poel couldn't match the best in the final climb however, and into today he think similar will happen.
“It doesn't have such a steep climb as that final climb of yesterday, but then the race was slightly different because everyone knew that climb was still to come. I will wait a bit to see how I feel, but it will probably be too difficult for me again," van der Poel told Het Nieuwsblad this morning. The stage isn't expected to be attacked as hard as the opening day, however the combination of the climbs and the longer Alto de Jaizkibel will make a selection in the peloton.
If he can resist the pace in the climb is his worry: “If I try anything at all, it will be trying to follow. It depends on how the favorites will race. There are also bonus seconds on top of the Jaizkibel, so there will be riding for that." The likes of Wout van Aert, Alex Aranburu and Corbin Strong are seen as some of the main favourites in what is a very open and tricky day.
"After the climb there is still a little time to come back. I do want to believe in it. But the Tour is still long and I try to focus mainly on the opportunities in the stages that suit me best," the Dutchman ends, not too positive on his chances of fighting for a victory today, and instead focus on stages later in the second week mostly.
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