23/08/2024

Legend Roger de Vlaeminck argues Mathieu van der Poel should have freedom to sprint for himself at Tour de France: "As world champion, you have to try to win those stages yourself"

In 2023, Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Deceuninck underwent the experiment of using him as a leadout man for Jasper Philipsen. This worked to perfection, and now some even argue that the World Champion should be given the freedom to sprint for his own results at the Grand Tours after proving himself as a leadout.

"I think it's a shame for him that he has to pull the sprint for Jasper Philipsen. As world champion, you have to try to win those stages yourself," cycling legend Roger De Vlaeminck told Wielerrevue. The Belgian was a dominating figure back in the 70's, winning Paris-Roubaix four times, Milano-Sanremo three times, dozens of Grand Tour victories and even a Cyclocross World Championships title. Van der Poel is one of the very few modern day riders whose palmarès is similar in a way.

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And perhaps he could add more to his tally if he sprinted for himself in the Grand Tours he takes part in. "I'm angry about it, because I am a fan of Van der Poel," the 76-year old argues. Van der Poel is a rider with a strong sprint, and has often used it in the classics to take big victories; but he is not a pure sprinter and has never really been part of these in the big races. Could that change?

"When you see him riding in the last 200 meters, I am convinced that he can win mass sprints himself," de Vlaeminck argues. "Why doesn't Mathieu start a Grand Tour more often? I hope that Mathieu will simply start the Tour again in the future. He will have to race for himself a bit more".

Currently the team has in Jasper Philipsen a proven winner in the sprints, and the Belgian team fully focuses on these and the cobbled classics where the Dutchman achieved full success this spring with wins at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. With the renewal of Kaden Groves as the second strong sprinter, it is very difficult to believe that in the near future van der Poel will be supported as an all-out sprinter for the Grand Tours.