He seemed to have disappeared from the earth in recent months, but Mathieu van der Poel has now landed safely in Florence for the Tour de France. The world champion did not race again after Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 21). With teammate Jasper Philipsen he is ready to make it another great Tour.
Sharp and with a smile, Mathieu van der Poel appeared in the press room in Florence, the Italian city where he became world junior champion in 2013.
In the coming weeks, Van der Poel will take part in the Tour as reigning world champion. “I’m doing well,” he said after weeks of quietly preparing for this Tour.
“I have had a long but good preparation. There was no time pressure and that made it relaxing.”
“I would rather race a bit more, but this is the new cycling. With the cyclocross season, it has already been a long spring,” says MVDP, who only has 7 racing days under his belt.
I have had a long but good preparation. There was no time pressure and that made it relaxing.
Mathieu van der Poel
“After Liège I needed time and I am happy with our approach. The Tour has not always been successful for me, but I am looking forward to it. Our approach has been slightly different and I feel good about that. We see whether it will pay off.”
Van der Poel wants to “finally win another stage”, but is not immediately thinking about the opening weekend. “The first stage is on the edge. A doubtful case, but I would rather say not. And the second stage is too difficult anyway.”
No nervousness at Philipsen
Mathieu van der Poel has “a free role anyway”. “But I also enjoy helping Jasper.”
Jasper is of course Jasper Philipsen, winner of 4 stages and the green jersey last year. “I do feel a little pressure to try to write another success story. That is certainly not easy.”
“My preparation has been similar and I feel ready to shine again. Am I nervous? No, we still have some time and the Tour takes a while. There are always opportunities.”
Philipsen suspects that his first chance will come on Monday after “a short weekend”. On Sunday he was beaten at the Belgian Championships. Has his confidence been damaged?
“Knocked? Van Aert was also beaten, Merlier too and many others. I’m not too worried. Arnaud (De Lie) was very strong.”
“I think I’m in as good shape as last year. It’s not an exact science, more of a feeling, but I think everything is good.”
Related:
Tour de France
ridedatestart – finishtyperidetotalwinnerleader
1
29/06 Florence – Rimini
206 km
2
30/06 Cesenatico – Bologna
199,2 km
3
01/07 Piacenza – Turijn
230,8 km
4
02/07 Pinerolo – Valloire
139,6 km
5
03/07 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas
177,4 km
6
04/07 Macon – Dijon
163,5 km
7
05/07 Nuits-Saint-Georges – Gevrey-Chambertin
25,3 km
8
06/07 Semur-en-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Églises
183,4 km
9
07/07 Troyes – Troyes
199 km
rest day 08/07
10
09/07 Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond
187,3 km
11
10/07 Évaux-les-Bains – Le Lioran
211 km
12
11/07 Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot
203,6 km
13
12/07 Agent – Pau
165,3 km
14
13/07 Pau – Pla d’Adet
151,9 km
15
14/07 Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille
197,7 km
rest day 15/07
16
16/07 Gruissan – Nîmes
188,6 km
17
17/07 Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Superdévoluy
177,8 km
18
07/18 Gap – Barcelonnette
179,5 km
19
19/07 Embrun – Isola 2000
144,6 km
20
20/07 Nice – Col de la Couillole
132,8 km
21
21/07 Monaco – Nice
33,7 km
2024-06-27 14:38:11
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