22 minutes with Mathieu van der Poel! The world champion talks about Sanremo, his amazing winter, Pogi, and much more.

Mathieu van der Poel is finally getting started for real! After his world title in cyclo-cross, we had to wait until the third week of March, but on Saturday he defends his title in Milan-San Remo. Alpecin-Deceuninck invited the press to Italy to have an extensive chat with the world champion. IDLProCycling.com was there, asked everything you've ever wanted to know!

Mathieu van der Poel is finally going for real! After his world title in the field we had to wait until the third week in March, but on Saturday he will defend his title in Milan-Sanremo. Alpecin-Deceuninck invited the press to Italy to chat extensively with the world champion. In the Leader's Jersey was there, asked questions and also lined up the others!

You did the recon on Thursday. Was that even necessary?

"Yes, the Cipressa and the Poggio are climbs that I won't visit for the rest of the year. The Flemish climbs are raced on more often, so it's definitely useful to recon the final of this course again. Especially to redo the climbs and descents, so they are back in my mind."

Did it bring back memories from last year?

"Last year was, of course, a super beautiful victory. If I could have those legs again on Saturday, that would be great. We'll see how it goes."

There was a headwind on Thursday. Did you learn anything from that?

"Well, the wind is expected to shift by Saturday, different from what we had on Thursday. If it remains as it was today, it could lead to a larger group reaching the finish together. The headwind was strong, particularly towards the Poggio. However, the forecast for Saturday suggests lighter winds, likely to be tailwinds. So, I’m anticipating a race strategy similar to last year’s. Considering Pogacar’s form, he’s likely to push the pace on the Cipressa and Poggio."

What’s your strategy going to be?

"Just to keep up, haha! There’s not much room for complex tactics in this race; it all boils down to the Poggio. Proper positioning is crucial, especially approaching the Cipressa. On the Poggio too, ultimately, it’s the rider's legs that will declare the victor, I believe."

Van der Poel won in 2023 Milan-Sanremo with a solo

This isn't the first time you've ridden Milan-San Remo without racing beforehand. How do you feel about your condition?

“I feel good and have trained well and hard in Spain. I've previously finished third here without race rhythm, but normally I need a few races to reach my top level. The difference from two years ago is that we already knew this would be my first race. I've trained hard and prepared as well as possible without racing, aiming to be at a good level right from the first race. But you never really know until you've raced. So, I have my doubts, but I've had a good training camp and have done everything I wanted to do. I feel ready.”

How do you replicate a race like Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico in a week of training, now that you haven’t competed in them?

“It's very challenging. Copying the hours is the easiest part; you can even do more. Having a big training week isn’t hard, but replicating the race intensity in your legs is. I've suffered a lot on the Spanish roads, so I hope that pays off.”

Your current program includes only E3, Gent-Wevelgem, and Liège that you haven’t won. Are these your main goals for this season?

“No. I’m not racing much this spring, so every race I do is a goal. But I expect to be in top form for the Tour of Flanders, that's what I'm working towards. We hope to perform well earlier since I’d also love to win E3 and Gent-Wevelgem. I'm curious to see what I can achieve there.”

Do you have any question marks for the races you’re going to participate in?

“I’m familiar with all of them; the real challenge is gauging the form and difficulty of the races. The training went very well, and I feel good, but we'll have to see how it goes in the races. So far, I can't complain.”

This spring, you're the only one facing Pogacar, Van Aert, and Evenepoel. Which duel are you most looking forward to, and which do you perhaps fear the most?

“I don’t fear any duels; I’m actually looking forward to them. The Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix suit me best, and I'm realistic enough to know that Liège will be tough with guys like Pogacar and Evenepoel. It's worth a shot; every race has to be ridden.”

For the Tour of Flanders and Roubaix, you have to be at 100%. Is that maybe not possible for Milan-San Remo?

“Yes, in my view, this is the only Monument where you can win without being at your best. That’s also why I’m okay with riding it without race rhythm. I would never have ridden the Tour of Flanders without having races in my legs, but in Milan-San Remo, you can win even if you’re not the strongest. So many scenarios are possible.”

Did you watch Strade Bianche?

“Well, when I got back from training, Pogacar had already taken off. I don’t think I missed much.”

An 81-kilometer solo was impressive. Is this Pogacar capable of making the difference on the Poggio? Or is that climb just not challenging enough?

“The Poggio is a climb where it’s hard to drop someone, but if anyone can, then Tadej is the one. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does it, but it will be tough to ride everyone off his wheel. Everyone will also know that’s where he wants to go, but if you’re stronger than the rest…”

In 2023, you won all the races you aimed for. Does that change how you view those races now?

"It's definitely more relaxed, easier when you've already won a race. You can afford to take more risks and sometimes wait a bit longer. Being relaxed on the bike makes a difference."

Was it hard watching the races these past weeks?

"When I saw the Opening Weekend, I wished I was there. But fitting that in was tough with the cyclo-cross World Championships and then a training camp at altitude. Maybe I'll participate in the future."

Van der Poel had a great time in Spain this winter

You spent more time in Spain. How did that work out?

"I enjoyed it; it's an easy-going life. I can do what I want, cycling in the sun with friends. That’s what I love most. If I had to choose my preparation, I would have opted for Paris-Nice or Tirreno-Adriatico, but it was just complicated with the cyclo-cross season. Last year, Strade Bianche was a bit too early, and I didn’t feel great in the Tirreno either. It all worked out, but it’s tricky calendar-wise to give everything a hundred percent. We had to make choices."

Is it fair to set the expectations just as high after 2023?

"I think so; we aim to do just as well. I know last year was exceptional, and it's more likely that I won't win any Monument this year than I will win one again. But I'm very motivated and feel strong after the winter. I'm happy with how things went, but you never know how strong the competition will be. We're aiming for a Monument again this year."

Your team has had its share of setbacks with sickness and injuries. Could that impact your performance on Saturday?

"It might, though we also started poorly last spring and turned it around. No one talked about our early classics afterwards. Let’s hope we can do that again now."

Which race would you have liked to have ridden during the past period?

"I think the Omloop. It suits me well, not too long and often raced aggressively. I’ve never done it, so I’d like to try it in the future."

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"I think many riders would agree that Milan-San Remo is the hardest Monument to win. For me, it's perhaps Lombardy with all its climbs, but Sanremo is tougher in terms of race dynamics. Naturally, that brought a lot of emotions."

Did you improve over the winter? And is that even possible?

"I believe so, though being stronger in training doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be stronger in races. I always strive to improve, just like I was better at the World Championships in Glasgow than during the classics in 2023. We’re aiming for that again now, but in the spring classics."

We saw you training with Thibau Nys and Remco Evenepoel, but there was one man who was with you all winter. Can you elaborate on your relationship with Freddy Ovett?

"He lives near me, so he’s a great training partner. We share similar interests and humor, so we get along well."

Could it be a disadvantage this Saturday that Wout van Aert isn’t participating, leaving Pogacar and you to watch each other exclusively?

"If Wout were there, he'd be one of the favorites. But there are other strong riders, like Ganna, who impressively kept up with Pogacar on the Poggio last year. Maybe this year another name will emerge. That's speculative until Saturday, we’ll see."

How likely do you think it is that there will be a breakaway on the Cipressa for the first time in a long time?

"It wouldn’t surprise me. In my view, it's almost impossible to break away from there, but Tadej is welcome to prove me wrong. I wouldn’t go with him, no. That would be suicidal, especially with the road between the Cipressa and the Poggio. If every major team has a rider there, then it’s possible. But it’s not the ideal scenario for anyone, really."

You say the Tour of Flanders suits you best. Why is that?

"It’s really an interval race, with everything coming in quick succession. Each climb is full throttle on the cobbles, truly a super tough race. I also love riding there; that’s important. The climbs suit me; they’re not too long but very intense."

Van der Poel was outperformed by Pogacar in the 2023 Tour of Flanders.

Do you now look forward more to the battles on the bike, rather than the races themselves?

"When you look forward to the races, you naturally anticipate the battles. The adrenaline rush from the Tour of Flanders is just very special."

With Liège-Bastogne-Liège on your schedule, are you aiming to win all five major Monuments?

"Phew, that’s not realistic at the moment. I just enjoy Liège; winning there will be very difficult. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible."

Does the rainbow jersey add extra motivation?

"It’s incredibly special to wear that jersey, but it doesn’t change much for me. It’s an honor to ride in it, but my motivation remains the same. I want to win the big races, which is special with or without the rainbow jersey."

So breaking records isn’t necessarily a motivation for you?

"It’s nice to do, but it’s not something I think about every day. It comes naturally; I just try to be the best version of myself in the big races every day. For instance, I didn’t know only two Dutchmen have won four Monuments. Nice, I’ll try to surpass them."

Will you be riding in white or black shorts this Saturday?

"That depends on the weather, we'll see."

One more thing about Pogacar. You joked under his Instagram post about Strade Bianche that he had scared you. Was that perhaps really your emotion when you saw he had ridden 81 kilometers solo?

"Not at all. It was super impressive, but not surprising. We all know what he’s capable of. He’s shown his strength so often that it no longer shocks us."

When does your summer start?

"We still have to decide, it also depends on the Olympics and which Grand Tour I’ll do. After the classics, we’ll plan the summer schedule. Sometimes I think about it already, but right now, I’m focused on the spring. There’s plenty of time afterward to figure out the next steps."