Mathieu van der Poel delivered on his promise on Wednesday as he won Stadsprijs van Geraardsbergen. The Dutchman finished the race ahead of his brother David to secure the victory.
It is his first victory after he was forced to drop out of Tour de France last month. "This is only the second fairground race I've ever won. It always seems very easy, but they are very difficult races to win. I have already won a very nice stage here in the BinckBank Tour. It's a tough environment, of course."
Van der Poel is slowly getting back to his old self. He finished the race a minute ahead of other riders which goes to show his training is working. "The spur after the Wall was tricky and there was also a lot of wind. In addition, I rode with a small group at the front for a large part of the race. I think it hurt everyone at the end," Van der Poel told TV Oost.
Mathieu van der Poel won the Stadsprijs Geraardsbergen today, the oldest kermesse race in 🇧🇪. @mathieuvdpoel attacked from a leading group of four that also included @Davidvanderpoel. Solo victory for Mathieu, David took 🥈. Congrats guys! 📸 @tvoost_vl
