Tour de France stage 1 "flirts with the limits of what I'm capable of" - Mathieu van der Poel
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel could win the first stage of the Tour de France and take on the first yellow jersey. A difficult scenario to put together, however a possible one for the Dutchman who will look forward to the explosive finale.
He, as many riders have upon arriving in Bilbao, has ridden a recon of the finale of the opening stage. "It was as I expected: it's really difficult, it flirts with the limits of what I'm capable of," he tells in a press conference this afternoon. "A lot also depends on the price situation. You can still return after the last climb in the final, but the last five hundred meters are also tough.”
After winning the Baloise Belgium Tour where he performed in the hills, he should be in great form. The climb, which features a grinding steep section, will suit better the climbers, or likes of Julian Alaphilippe or Tom Pidcock who are lightweights. Van der Poel, a heavyweight, could struggle, but in return has better chances in a sprint if that is to happen in Bilbao.
“The Basque Country is still heavier than Brittany. It will be tight, but I'll try. Although it will be difficult to follow the real punchers and climbers," he continues. Stage two is slightly different and less sharp, however the profile does allow for attacks and a first change of yellow jersey.
Van der Poel will have this as a big goal throughout the Tour de France, one where he will be chasing stage wins, but also look to play a big role in the leadout of Jasper Philipsen, a partnership which has worked quite well this week.
“I won't do it every day, but certainly when I feel good. I don't go green myself. I'm not busy collecting points when we go for a sprint with Jasper. We have already proven that we know what to do. We have confidence and for me there are still strong guys on the train."
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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🍿 Inside @AlpecinCycling Barbershop: @mathieuvdpoel and @JasperPhilipsen – PART 2 Counting the days until @LeTour, here is our second part of the untypical Q&A including fan questions! 📺 Full video: youtu.be/qzSyXRD3S5o #AlpecinDeceuninck #TDF2023 💛
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