Mathieu van der Poel could join elite list alongside Merckx, Raas, Gilbert & Pogacar with Amstel Gold Race victory
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel has already impressed in 2024 with victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Now, with the Amstel Gold Race on the horizon, he faces the possibility of matching a prestigious record that only a few have achieved before him.
The Amstel Gold Race, the first great Ardennes classic, is an iconic race that challenges cyclists with its steep hills and winding roads. For van der Poel, who has proven his dominance on varied terrain, this race represents a new challenge and an opportunity to make his mark in cycling history.
At stake for van der Poel is the possibility of matching a select list of cyclists who have managed to win both the Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race in the same season. These names include cycling legends such as Eddy Merckx, Jan Raas, Philippe Gilbert and Tadej Pogačar.
If van der Poel can add his name to this distinguished list, he will not only cement his position as one of the most talented riders of his generation, but also write a new chapter in the history of Dutch cycling.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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📊🏆Riders who won 🇧🇪Ronde van Vlaanderen and 🇳🇱Amstel God Race in the same season: 1975: 🇧🇪Eddy Merckx 1979: 🇳🇱Jan Raas 2017: 🇧🇪Philippe Gilbert 2023: 🇸🇮Tadej Pogačar ❓2024: 🇳🇱Mathieu van der Poel?
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