🇮🇹 #CoppieBartali "Maybe I wasn't at my very best today, but all in all it's been a good day and a good training for me this stage. I need to gain race hardness for the upcoming classics." 🗨️ @mathieuvdpoel
Mathieu van der Poel: "I need to gain hardness for the upcoming classics"
CyclingThursday, 24 March 2022 at 12:00
Alpecin-Fenix has had a successful day yesterday as Tim Merlier won the Brugge-De Panne classic, however in Italy Mathieu van der Poel struggled with the climbing-heavy route of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
At the finale of the second stage of the Italian race, where he is completing his preparation for the Tour des Flandres, the Dutchman said: "Maybe I wasn't at my very best today, but all in all it's been a good day and a good training for me this stage. I need to gain race hardness for the upcoming classics."
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After having a strong opening stage, in the thick of the action in the final 3-kilometer climb that averaged 9.5%, he went on to finish the stage in fourth place. Early in stage two he attempted to take part in the breakaway, but wasn't given leash. later on in the day he was dropped from the GC group after a full-on day of climbing where race leader Mauro Schmid also cracked under pressure.
As the race goes up to San Marino today in what should be the queen stage, it will be another climbing test for van der Poel. The final two stages will provide good opportunities for him to grab his first win of the season.
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