🚴🇧🇪 | We gaan de absolute slotfase in! Danny van Poppel valt bijna van zijn fiets en het peloton pakt de laatste vluchter terug. We maken ons op voor een massasprint! #ClassicBruggeDePanne 📺 Koers kijk je op discovery+
🎥 Van Poppel shocked by "aggressive" Démare: "And then he actually pushed me..."
CyclingWednesday, 20 March 2024 at 18:37
He keeps saying that sprinting is not really his thing anymore, but still, on Wednesday, Danny van Poppel (BORA-hansgrohe) found himself on the podium at the Classic Brugge-De Panne, a race known for its sprint finishes. Teammate Sam Welsford - and also Jordi Meeus - were not in contention in the final part, which meant that the Dutchman had to save the day for the Germans after a hectic final phase. He shared his experience with IDLProCycling.com in De Panne.
BORA-hansgrohe started with Welsford and Meeus, but in the end, it was Van Poppel who took to the podium alongside Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier. So what exactly were the team's tactics? "The plan was to go for Sam and that I would be his last man. If we could put him on my wheel, he is one of the fastest here. If not the fastest, he certainly doesn't have to back down from those other two guys. We just really believe in him."
However, the execution was less than ideal, as Welsford was not in position when it mattered. "It was super hectic and Sam wasn't on my wheel. And then I heard in my earpiece that I had to follow. The guys had been leading all day, and then you have to do your best, so I think you can't just give up."
For Van Poppel himself, the final stretch was full of chaos. Ten kilometers from the finish in De Panne, the Dutchman suddenly found himself on the grass next to the road and had to fight his way back into the peloton. "Arnaud Démare pushed me onto the grass very aggressively, and then you have to be mentally strong to come back from that. Démare was not my friend, let's just leave it at that. But in the end, everyone goes through all sorts of things, and it's part of racing, but I got the final laugh," says the third-place finisher.
Yet, it was crucial to keep his head cool at that moment, Van Poppel admits. "I thought for a moment that I was going to end up in the ditch, but luckily I kept my bike upright. When I came back, I let him know that I was back. I said 'I'm back,' and then he pushed me again... That is when I knew for sure that he was targeting me. However, I eventually finished third, and that's what matters most."
Continue reading below the video.
Van Poppel eager to enter upcoming period with Welsford
So, what is the overall feeling? "It's such a hectic race here, and I just know I'm very good at positioning, so now I ended up in third place. For a moment, I thought I might win, but those two world-class riders beat me," indicates Van Poppel, who also doesn't anticipate any problems within the team. "We are open and honest, and I was told to go for it, so then I do my best. Even if it's a tenth place, that's fine too."
What's next for Van Poppel? "Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen. I'm not doing the Tour of Flanders, but I will go to the Tour of Turkey and the Giro. I'm looking forward to it because I really enjoy being with the team and with Sam. We haven’t seen the last of him, I'm sure of that. He's only been cycling at the WorldTour level for two years, but when you see him... He's pure muscle. I enjoy teaching him the sprinting trade because I have a lot of experience and he doesn’t yet. Together, we can still make some great things happen," he concludes eagerly.
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024