"It's well under control now" - Mathieu van der Poel admits to have worked through chronic back issues

Mathieu van der Poel has shown good signs ahead of the Tour de France, winning the Baloise Belgium Tour. He has done all his preparation and racing ahead of his return to the French Grand Tour, in the days leading up to it he has talked about some details outside of racing.

"I don't drink much alcohol. And when I drink it, it's right all the way. However, I personally find it easier not to drink at all than to drink one glass," van der Poel admitted in an interview with Beyond The Athlete. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider admitted to be a bigger fan of the Belgian frites, as are many in the region, but certainly those will be saved for after the Tour is completed.

The Dutchman, who had serious issues which his back over the last two years, has kept up with his back strengthening program. Over mountain biking and cyclocross mainly he has struggled because of it, but the issues have been nullified for the time being, as he continues to train twice a week to make sure it doesn't come back.

"It's well under control now," he explains. "I have to put in a lot of time and energy, but if I can ride without back problems, that's not an assignment. I work on it at least twice a week in the gym."

In the interview he was also asked about his relationships with rival Wout van Aert, with whom he consistently battled with throughout the winters, but also now become leading rivals in the spring classics over in road cycling. "I have his phone number, but it is above all professional and with respect towards each other."

"We don't have dinner together, but we mainly push each other to get even better. We have been racing against each other for a long time and the sport thrives on beautiful duels. It has made us both stronger, because you know you have to be 100 percent.," he concluded.