Mathieu van der Poel talks about European and World Championship ambitions: "I now also realize more that these are probably the last weeks that I will ride in that jersey"

Mathieu van der Poel won the World Championships last year in Glasgow and he has been wearing - with plenty success - the rainbow jersey over the past year. This time is coming to an end, and he admits that it will be difficult to win in Zurich but also the upcoming European Championships.

“It is always nice to get a jersey and become champion. I now also realize more that these are probably the last weeks that I will ride in that jersey," van der Poel said in an interview with AD. “There are only a few races left. I tried to take some rest after the [Olympic] Games. Then you automatically get a dip and I hope that my best form will return in this last part. I always need a few races for that.”

Van der Poel rode the Renewi Tour in service of Jasper Philipsen as a leadout, succeeding in stage 4. The Dutchman was the main favourite for Sunday's queen stage in Geraardsbergen but did not start the stage due to knee pain. This is not the ideal preparation for the upcoming Europeans which lack many difficulties.

The Dutch will have Olav Kooij as the head sprinter, whilst the Belgians will have four cards to play in the dash to the line. This has him believe that Wout van Aert - currently at the Vuelta a España - may actually want an offensive race as well and could be an ally. “With so many Belgian sprinters, he will want to race like me."

"In the middle section it can be difficult. That is of course always a strange feeling when you are riding with countries, but I don't think anyone will blame me if I do the lead-out for Olav [Kooij]. I am there with the Dutch team.”

He shares a fair opinion on the two races, none of which have just the ideal amount of difficulty for his abilities: “Two difficult races to win. The European Championships may be a bit too easy and the World Championships are on the tough side with all that climbing.”

The worlds in Zurich are more oriented to the climbers, taking into consideration that riders like Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel can do short climbs as well as the classics specialists. But the defending champion does have hope: “Otherwise I would not go either. I realize that it will be difficult. But a lot of attention will be paid to other riders and less to me. That is nice, although they will not just let me ride. But I am not one of the big favourites and perhaps that gives me a bit more space.’’