Mathieu van der Poel confident ahead of Amstel Gold Race return: "I haven't competed in many races, but the races I have competed in are impressive"

Alpecin-Deceuninck are so far having the best spring classics campaign imaginable. Winning Milano-Sanremo, E3 Saxo Classic, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix... They seriously risk winning Amstel Gold Race today as well with Mathieu van der Poel in the lead and strong in-form secondary cards in the lineup.

“I haven't competed in many races, but the races I have competed in are impressive. There are a lot of new guys who have made this their goal," Van der Poel shared with Wielerflits this morning. "The previous races normally suit me a little better, but it is a lot of twisting and turning and really a kind of roller coaster. So we will see.”

Van der Poel won here back in 2019, a victory most cycling fans will remember, and was fourth in 2022. Often it is a very tactical race, decided with attacks in the run-up to the line, however last year Tadej Pogacar attacked and dropped the entire competition before that could happen. Van der Poel, in his current form, could risk doing the same this year.

No pressure after several high-level wins, and Alpecin-Deceuninck can very well play the cards of Quinten Hermans, Gianni Vermeersch or even Axel Laurance. A very dynamic race will take place this Sunday and the World Champion is in the midst of it at the start.