"It's a race that I don't really like" - Mathieu van der Poel says he has 'nothing to gain' from riding the Tour de France
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel has a palmares most riders could only dream of, taking World Championship titles in multiple disciplines, numerous Monument victories and more. In terms of Grand Tour success though, one stage of the Giro d’Italia and one of the Tour de France is a comparatively small return for a rider of Van der Poel's qualities.
The 2025 Tour de France however, on paper at least, is a more Van der Poel friendly course. According to the Dutchman himself though, his interest in continuing to ride the French Grand Tour every year just isn't as strong as it is for other races. In an in depth interview with Sporza, the Alpecin-Deceuninck leader opens up on his love-hate relationship with the Tour de France.
"It's a race that I don't really like," he admits honestly. "Apart from trying to win stages and wear the yellow jersey (two things he has already done), there's not much to gain for me in the Tour. I'd rather ride 5 races in which I'm competing to win than 20 stages in which I'm not competing for the win half the time."
On his last couple of Tour de France appearances, Van der Poel has, very successfully operated as last leadout man for teammate Jasper Philipsen, helping the Belgian to numerous stage victories and a Green Jersey in the 2023 edition. "With Jasper on board, my goal is always to help him win as many stages as possible," the former world road race champion explains. "I like that and it also takes the pressure off me."
Van der Poel also hints that a first trip to Paris-Nice could be on the cards for 2025. "New races provide new impulses," he concludes. "That is why Paris-Nice could be an option instead of Tirreno-Adriatico, which I have already ridden a few times."
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- he can do what he wants, and if he can state his feelings, so can I. and my feeling is, it is fun to see the best riders in the biggest race. there are always stages to go after. and racing is more fun with an MVDP to cheer for. and to the point of the other guy, he raced 7 races prior. he will do 11 or so cross races. yes he races to win, but as a fan I would really love to see him in the race. I'm being greedy admittedly. to the point of vappaxbipmv, he isn't exactly racing his legs off with the races he has been doing.mij07-01-2025
- Well not his last year, but my argument is he can't he win the Tour. Remember this thread during the upcoming Tour, btw, I do admire Primoz.awp07-01-2025
- He did a convincing display at Ancares doing peak numbers even without optimal preparation in a team that is weaker in grand tours. Sure he's getting older but the narrative that he's in his last year is ridiculous.alsene07-01-2025
- He is not anti-doping. He is pro-whining. He is more than happy to cheer for the dopers he likes and believe in the miracles he likes.
MarkFour06-01-2025 - Froome has found a genuine way to race slow .. no further gears restrictions needed for him. And speaking about safety - this overnight packfodder to GT winner should start with holding the tt bars while descending with both hands. What a clown!!
UltimateOpportunist06-01-2025 - Nice, yeah, if you’re around a 6-7% gradient when they attack you’re not going to see much, it’s not for nothing the steepest sections are so crowded. If on TV you see an overweight fan running along for more than 30m you know they’re nowhere near that speed there;-)Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- Merry Crossmas to you tooMistermaumau06-01-2025
- I respect his anti-doping stance but in trying to rehash everything he’s no longer looking at the changes. It’ not just one or two riders who suddenly improved, the whole peleton has gone through an upgrade. For sure there are still cheaters, may e even amongst the very best but a large part of the improvement is generic and explainable. Even racing itself has changed. There is progress in EVERY sport, constantly, why would cycling be the odd one out?Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- Don’t doubt your cynical side ;-) It’s hardly likely to be true either and he is hardly in a position to judge for others who is best this or that. If he’d just said, he was always good to ME that would have been more truthful and then everyone could draw their own conclusion, now he’s basically shot himself in the foot for nothing (as far as we know).Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- He's the best teammate with Domen Novak cruising Pogi to become Cycling World Champion.
James2631806-01-2025