"Congrats brother," says world time-trial champion,
Remco Evenepoel, long-time rival on the bike and friend off of it of van der Poel, with legendary sprint star, turned Eurosport analyst,
Robbie McEwen commenting "King of cycling."
Among others, the likes of
Gianni Vermeersch,
Alberto Contador and
Sente Sentejns also spared the time to send van der Poel congratulations.