Mathieu van der Poel enjoying the training before the first race, which should be either Strade Bianche or Milano Sanremo. 🎥: Freddy Ovett
Michel Wuyts believes Mathieu van der Poel can dominate spring classics and contest Liège-Bastogne-Liège: "Normally he cannot follow Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel on the Redoute"
CyclingThursday, 22 February 2024 at 12:41
Mathieu van der Poel was the winner of Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix last year, alongside a second place at the Tour of Flanders - which will not have reigning champion Tadej Pogacar this spring. Belgian analyst Michel Wuyts believes the World Champion may have another glorious campaign over the coming months.
"He will try to achieve that superior level of form again this spring. If he succeeds, I wonder whether the Monuments will still have to be held. I refer to Milan-San Remo and the World Championships in Glasgow," Wuyts told Wielerrevue. "My answer to the question of whether he will dominate is without a doubt 'yes'. And not just based on the cross winter."
Last year van der Poel had his form click perfectly at the right moments and achieved results only a few could ever dream of. Alongside all these, he conquered titles in both cyclocross and road. Only a few weeks ago, he won yet again at the cyclocross World Championships, and is now preparing for the road season ahead. With no illnesses or injuries hampering him, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider may continue to show tremendous form.
Click
here to create your own team for the Fantasy Spring Classics Men. At least $4300/€4,000/£3,420
in prizes!
"I think it mainly depends on the preparation. He now spends three out of four months in Spain in the winter. What he also does differently is the racing itself. Those attacks from 60 or even 80 kilometers from the finish have disappeared. He chooses his moments more consciously," Wuyts argues. "He often moves along the wheel and chooses his moments."
Read also
He's done so in cyclocross where in most races he was the overwhelming favourite, but how this will apply to the road we shall see - mainly as Team Visma | Lease a Bike grow stronger and stronger. However Wuyts believes that van der Poel can also aim towards results in the Ardennes. Specially, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, which due to it's monument status, could also be a goal for the Dutchman.
"If he adds Liège-Bastogne-Liège to his campaign, I think he can win there," Wuyts believes. "He finished sixth one day after the BinckBank Tour in 2020. But then everything has to fall into place, because normally he cannot follow Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel on the Redoute."
Read also
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- In Italy you have few days, no more than 10 days.
maria2024202422-11-2024 - Thank you, I don't know it.maria2024202422-11-2024
- Danish guy here. We have up to 6 monthsspock12322-11-2024
- Yeah I thought also he will race the Tour as well if Tim Wellens not feeling good.
James2631822-11-2024 - is it normal in Denmark not to have a name for the baby after 2 month of his birth? how is the baby officially registered in the municipality/commune? is it not immediate?maria2024202422-11-2024
- Convicted of? Didn't need to be convicted. He confessed. But he was guilty of fraud, racketeering, bribery, drug smuggling, threating witnesses, and extortion.Sweep22-11-2024
- And Lance is regularly at his side. I want to puke each time I see them together.dabman21-11-2024
- WADA had no issues with looking the other way when Lance tested positive. Sorry WADA but you lack credibility.dabman21-11-2024
- Disappointing that his agent could get him €40m/yr.Front24221-11-2024
- Its actually simple, He had just signed a contract earlier in the year. but He wanted more money and possibly support. So he leftabstractengineer21-11-2024