"They want to win even the stupidest games": Alpecin domestique sees shared winning mentality in Evenepoel and Van der Poel

Gianni Vermeersch has raced alongside two of cycling’s biggest stars, Remco Evenepoel and Mathieu van der Poel, and believes the pair share one defining characteristic: an extraordinary desire to win. The Belgian, currently enjoying a strong Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and hoping to secure a place in the Tour de France, reflected on his experiences with both riders and explained why he considers their mentality to be what truly sets them apart from the rest of the peloton.

As a current teammate of Evenepoel and a longtime domestique for Van der Poel during the classics, Vermeersch has had a unique perspective on two of the sport’s leading figures. “Are they different in character from normal riders? They are both winners,” Vermeersch said in words to Wieler Revue.

According to the Belgian, reaching the very top of any sport requires a relentless commitment to success in every aspect of life. “You have to be willing to do everything to win if you want to become that good in a sport,” he explained. “Otherwise, you will never become the best in your sport.”

Vermeersch suggested that Van der Poel’s competitive nature extends far beyond cycling and is visible even in the smallest games and challenges. “They want to win even the stupidest games,” he said. “Mathieu especially. He really was the best at everything.”

Asked what Van der Poel is like when he loses, Vermeersch laughed at the premise, explaining that such moments were extremely rare. “Well, that seriously didn’t happen during those years,” he said. “Whether it was computer games or other sports…”

“I may have won a game of pool once, but that was one game out of several matches. He wins everything that involves competition.”

Van der Poel’s talents outside cycling are well documented, having shown promise in football during his youth and later developing into a highly capable golfer.