According to his father
Adrie van der Poel, we are witnessing a completely different
Mathieu van der Poel. Cyclocross legend Adrie talks about a different mentality and how that may have come from big life decisions from the World Champion.
"We knew that he was in good condition. Then you don't have to go over your limit. And you also make few mistakes. There were still a few in Herentals, but six days later, in Mol, they had completely disappeared," Adrie van der Poel said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. "Things turned out fine very quickly. I think it is always difficult to estimate whether this is the best Mathieu ever. Because that is related to the competition, the courses. Let's just say he's at least approaching his best form ever. You will notice this in the results. With Matje the difference between 'everything is going well' and 'everything is going badly' is easily a minute."
Atfer the very successful 2023 season, it's hard to argue that the Dutchman could improve in any way. However that may happen. Over the last few weeks there's been talk of how he's escaped illnesses and injuries, prepared properly for the big goals and is motivated. A move to Spain may have helped significantly with that, not only the road season but to his extremely successful return to cyclocross right from the first minute of competition.
"It's a different thing, he rides around with a completely different mindset. The move to Spain also made him incredibly happy. He kept that a secret from us for a long time. Until one day, during a dinner party, he came to announce it... The training conditions are ideal. Look, I like cycling too. But what on earth could you have been doing here for the past nine weeks? It rained almost continuously," he argues.
Meanwhile in Spain, the
Alpecin-Deceuninck rider prepared for the cyclocross block and arrived with terrific form. Although it was a difficult decision, Adrie acknowledges that it was the right move from his son, and that ultimately it was the best one for his career.
"How long will his career last? About seven years, maybe? Then he will be 35. Until then, he just has to do everything for it," he believes. "And if you have to do it, do it well, otherwise it's better not to do it. It's nice to reap the benefits. And to see that all the pieces of the puzzle, like last year, fit together beautifully."
