“What he wins is of a different order” – Adrie van der Poel marvels at son Mathieu’s ability ahead of Tour of Flanders showdown with Pogacar

Sunday could be a defining day in the already glittering career of Mathieu van der Poel. The Dutchman is chasing a fourth victory at the Tour of Flanders, a win that would make him the most successful rider in the history of the iconic Monument. But standing in his way is none other than Tadej Pogacar.

Among those watching closely will be his father, Adrie van der Poel, who has witnessed Mathieu’s journey from the very beginning. It wasn’t always destined to be cycling, though, at first, it looked like football might be his path.

Mathieu showed promise on the pitch and was even picked up by Willem II, where he excelled in their youth scouting programme. “After a year, Matje was among the four boys who were allowed to continue in the scouting program,” Adrie told NRC.

Wow, plenty of riders in the peloton would have had some extra wins if Mathieu van der Poel had decided to become a footballer!

“But dad,” Mathieu told him, “I don't want to be a footballer at all.” Adrie advised him to thank the coach respectfully and explain he wanted to become a cyclist instead. “He did. Well, that guy thought it was absolutely fantastic.”

Even as a youngster, his natural ability was clear. “Matje was more flexible and handy from a young age. He was driven, always wanted to get the most out of it, had the will to win. I recognized that in myself,” said Adrie.

Five years later, Mathieu was lighting up the spring Classics and leading a team on the rise. Remember, Alpecin weren't a WorldTour team before Van der Poel dragged them to that status.

With increasing success came greater resources and structure. At one point, a personal trainer enforced a strict limit of 60 race days a year and advised skipping the Tour de France until he was 25, a move Adrie fully supported. “I have also always said: make sure you don't ride your bike at all one day a week. That will give you 52 rest days a year.”

There were moments of concern along the way too. “A few years ago he sometimes rode a motocross bike, he had several bikes,” Adrie recalled. “I don't like that at all. His best friend comes from motorsport and he has a spinal cord injury, because of an accident. I once said to him: don't do that, there is still so much time to enjoy that kind of thing when you have stopped cycling.”

Adrie knew not to push too hard, though. “I also know that I shouldn't say it ten times, because then he'll only do it more. But I don't hear him talk about it anymore, I don't think he has any engines anymore. He's found another passion: golf. He's completely absorbed in that, while I think: well, I'm surprised that you like that.”

He smiles at the shift. “I think it's great too – but with someone else,” Adrie joked. “But yes, if companies want to associate themselves with Matje, why wouldn't he? He's also very careful with his stuff. I rarely see him in a dirty car, his house is always super clean.”

That attention to detail? Adrie believes he played a role. “When those boys came home from a training ride in the cold and rain, I cleaned their bikes and helmets. My wife immediately washed their clothes and an hour later everything was clean again. That is still the case. When Mathieu comes to ride a cyclo-cross race nearby in the winter, I say: come and take a shower with us, when you leave your bike will be cleaned.”

“Then I think: well, I actually couldn't do that much. What he wins is of a different order. And it's also the way in which he does it. I had to rely on my cleverness, solos of 80 kilometers were not for me. Tactically, everything had to go a bit well.”